CHRISTCHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3314, 20 November 1878, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH.

Tnis Day. (Before G. L. Mcllish, Esq., R.M.) Lwacx from Drink.— Henry F. Allen was remanded to Lyttelton for medical treatment. For being drunk and disorderly, a first offender was fined ss. PnoTECTioN ov Eaknings.— -The wife of William Henry Smith, Peterborough street, again appeared in support of an application for an order to protect her property and earnings, upon the ground of her husband's cruelty. Compla>nant now eaid that her husband had been supporting somo other woman, and in reply to questions from her husband she said that on certain occasions her hus-r band struck her, giving her a black oye, and 1 forcing blood froni her fingers. The defendant said the woman in question was his housekeeper, and he discharged her the day before yesterday. Inspector Hickson interpolated that the so-caUed discharge was made when Smith found the police were making inquiries as to his conduct. Defendant resumed that his wife ran her faco against his hand, . and was the cause of the bruise on her face ([laughter). On another occasion he was,holding her down to prevent her from striking him, and she bit own hand (laughter.) His Worship said he had heard the excuse of " running against somebody's hand " too often. In reply to a question from Inspector Hickson, complainant said that during her laßt confinement someone gave her a bottlo of brandy; her husband took tlm away from her and drank the whole, afterwards going up and down the road like a madman. Defendant p-oceeded to ask a number of totally irrelevant questions, many of winch complainant was directed riot to answer. Defendant called as a witness lm son by a former wife, the lad stating that Mrs Smith was of dirty habits, and accustomed to uso abusive language. The younger son, who- had been living at home, said ho never saw his father strike his mother-in-law ; he never noticed any black or even discoloured eye. A witness residing next door to the parties was called as a witness for. the defence, but her ovidenco told seriously against the husband. She gave an omphatic denial to most of his leading questions. His Worship said it was evidently quite hopeless to expect that the parties would again live togefchcr in comfort. Defendant's getting rid of -the woman who had been referred to, and in the manner he did, certainly looked very queer. Inspector Hickson said defendant was a printer by trade, but ho had not followed that occupation for some time, and appeared to havo been ablo to support him* self comfortably on his property. Mrs Smith said she only sought for support for her child. Order made for the payment of 10s per week towards the child's support, payable into Court.