WIPE’S DRESS BILLS

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1930, Page 11

WIPE’S DRESS BILLS

CLAIM AGAINST HUSBAND.

JUDGE ON HOUSE EXPENSES.

Ho w much a husband. should allow his. wife for household and clothing expenseswas a question raised at Westminster County tJourf recently,, during the .hearing of a case in which Mr. Aubrey. James Atherton w-ae sued by Thereee, Limited, dressmakers, far £Bl 7a fid for dresses and work done for his former wife.

Mr. Cyril Salmon, for plaintiffs, said the debt • is incurred in 1925 from March to August. Mr. and Mrs. Atherton were married in December, 1924, and divorced in 1927. Mr. S. H. Smith, for defendant: The husband divorced the wife. She went off with another man in Nairobi.

The defence was that the goods were not necessaries, that Mrs. Atherton had a sufficient allowance, and that in February, 1925, there was a distinct understanding between them that ©he was not to pledge his credit. Mrs. Margaret Theresa Hince, a director of the plaintiff firm, said Mrs. Atherton had dealt with them before her marriage, and her mother paid the accounts. When eome of the dresses were ordered Mr. and Mrs. Atherton came together in Mr. Atherton’s car, and he waited outside the shop while Mrs. Atherton was ordering. Some of the dresses- were for Good wood races, a party at the Metropole Hotel, Brighton, and a shooting party in North Wales. Witness had : often met them socially at the house of Major and Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Atherton’s .parents. . Mr. Atherton said that his. income in 1925-26 was £l'4oo after taking off tax. He was 24 and.lMrs. Atherton 19 when they married. -He allowed her £3o’a month. ’ .

Judge Turner inquired into items of expenditure, ineluffing £7 7s a week, for hire of a motor-car and £4 a week for eervanie. Mr. Atherton admitted the items, and the Judge said they totalled £24 a week, or over £l2OO a year without allowing for living. “What wag your own tailor’s bill?” he asked Mr. Atherton. Mr. Atherton: I think it was £95.

Judge Turner: I don’t think you seriously think that £3O was enough, do you? —It wag just for household expenses. Judge Turner; But it appears that the household expenses ran away with that and something more ?—Yes'. The Judge said it was utter noneense for anybody in the social position of defendant to think he could run his establishment on £3O a month, including the cost of servants.

Mr. Smith said that in view of the evidence they would accept judgment. Judgment was accordingly entered for plaintiffs for the amount claimed 'and .cos.ts. ■■ . :