LIVED ON HIS WITS.

Thames Star, Volume LX, Issue 16855, 4 August 1926, Page 5

LIVED ON HIS WITS.

DESERTED A GIRL. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 4. Described as a man who lived by his wits, James Alfred Martin, aged 39, had harsh things said about him when he appeared at the Magistrate’s Court, charged with failing to obey maintenance orders made in respect of two children, and further with being idle and disorderly. Martin pleaded guilty. “There are particularly bad circumstances in this case,” said the Maintenance Officer. “In 1919 Martin took a girl away with him under a promise of marriage. They lived together, and two children were born. Martin refused to get married, and on one occasion he left the girl ( in the lurch at the registry office. After an order had been made for maintenance of the children he disappeared, and. was not seen again until the police gathered him in on another charge. He has gone about the South Island living by ' his wits. He won’t work, and the girl has to go out charing. She is practically destitute. Chief Detective Gibson said accused had been taking people down by “ringing the changes.” A sentence of six months was imposed.