MAGISTERIAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6197, 27 March 1888, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL.

MAGISTRATES' COURT. CHRISTCEUECH. This Dat. (Before B. Beethaui, Esq., E.M.) Unregistered Dogs. — Eobert Little .was fined 10s for each of tlie three unregistered doga of which he was the owner. Failing to Provide. — Francis Sanderson was charged, on tho information of his wife, with having failed to provide for her support and thai of her three children. The case wa3 heard at; some length, and in the course of the hearing it was evident that the parties lived v<-ry unhappily together, and were not likely ever to get along well. His Worship said the case was a nasty case, and a good deal complicated by the foolish things that both parties had done. The man was earning £1 a week; 103 of this he was paying for the support of the two .children that Avero his own j 103 he required for his own clothing, and for the payment of insurance premiums on, a life policy for The woman was a strong ablebodied woman, and was receiving from the Charitable Aid Board 7s a week for her illegitimate , child and rations. He would not make any order on the husband for alimony, because he thought the man was doing- his fair share of the support of the family, and could not do any more, and because the woman waa an able-bodied woman. Alleged Wife Desertion. — Donald Fraser, shepherd, Lowburn, ±iangiora, was charged with having deserted his wife Jane Fraser. The case had Keen previously heard to some extent. Mr Stringer contended that the woman having admitted living a life of prostitution since her marriage, she forfeited all claim to alimony irora her husband, and abrogatsd her rights at common law by her adu-tery. Mr Holmes submitted tlrnt tho woman's adultery did not, in the case of absolute destitution, prevent the husband from being compelled to support his destitute wife. A large number of authorities were quoted on both sides, and judgment was reserved. A Defaulter — A warrant was issued for the arrest of William Winter, who had failed fco obey an order of the Court rucde on Oct. 4, 1887, to pay £1 a week towards the support of his wife and 5a a week for the support of his child, and was now £14 105 in arrears.