A VIOLENT HUSBAND.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 13351, 8 April 1914, Page 3

A VIOLENT HUSBAND.

At the Police Court this morning, before Mr W. A. Barton, S.M., Alice Simpson applied for a separation order against her husband, Alexander Wesley Simpson, carter, on the grounds of persistent cruelty. Mr Mayne appeared for the complainant. Defendant did not appear. Complainant said she got a separation order from defendant m December, 1912. He remained away for four months, and then came back, walking into the house. Witness had hoped he would be better to her, but he had got worse. He used terrifying language to her, and threatened to kill her if she did not kill herself. Last Saturday he said if she did not cut her own throat, he would cut it for her. He was intoxicated almost every day, and used similar threats each evening. A fortnight ago he kicked her on the shin, and a week ago he struck her severely with a wet dish cloth. Air Mayne : Has he ever thrown anything at you? Witness : Yes, he threw his dinner over me last Sunday. Is it a fact that you live m constant fear for your life? Witness : Yes, daily hourly. He comes m every time he is passing the house. Witness said there were four children, aged 5, 10, 11 and 13 years respectively ; defendant treated them very badly, and they were m great terror of him. Air Mayne : Do you work for your living? Witness : Yes, and my husband steals my .money as fast as he finds my hiding places. . : His Worship: How much has he taken? ' Witness: At the rate of about 8s 6d a week. Witness said defendant earned £* 9_" a week! and overtime. Under the last order defendant paid her 25s a week. He* had agreed to that this morning, and she would be satisfied with that amount. He did not keep up his payments under the first order. ' Victor Fiori, laborer, who was a neighbor of complainant's for four months, gave evidence as to hearing screams m Simpson's place almost every night, and as to complainant taking refuge m his house. He had frequently seen defendant chasing his wife and children, and had only seen him come home sober once. His Worship made a separation order, and ordered defendant to pay 25s a week towards the maintenance of complainant, and to pay £1 7s costs.