A SEVERE REPROOF.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19812, 2 December 1919, Page 7

A SEVERE REPROOF.

A BARMAN AND HIS I FAMILY. " When a man strikes a woman the only fit place for him is gaol. You are a coward, and a very despicable oownnl at that. What do you think you're useful for? Instead' of using your wages for the comfort of your wife and children you put them down your t throat. I'm not here to preach tee- c totalism, but T want to show you that t! you must not arrive home drunk and 1 ill-treat your wife.". With these words the Magistrate (.Mr s S. Ifl. iH'Cnrthy, S.M.I addressed Wil- [ linni Williamson, who pleaded guilty at the Magistrate's Court this morning to < a charge that at St Albans, on Decern- ' her 1. he assaulted Jessie Williamson, 1 a child seven years of age, hv striking ; her on the forehead with the heel of ' a shoe. I Senior-Sergeant Cummings said that ' the accused was a barman hv occupation < find arrived home drank after his day's J work. H,. quarrelled with his wife and assaulted her. and in the heat of ' the argument ho picked up a shoe with ' ■'in iron heel ou if, with the intention f 0 striking her. His wife dodged the shoe, and it struck his seveh-vear-old I daughter. The child was in 'delicate ' Jioalth and had had several operations ' performed on her. During the nigh: she had hcon seri<;uslv ill. but was now '' much heller. Accused stated that he had had -a fow drinks before tjoing home, but he was not drunk. * His Worship: If yon were not drunk : it makes the position worso. '■ ! Accused added that when ho reached , homo bis wife commenced imaging at lam and a row had ensued. "' ' '" I mdend to remand this matter for a week in order that you may think over it, and that I may think it over.*' : remarked his Worship. " Afc prdsent J think you ought to go to gnol, but ; 1 will deal with you in a week's time." Accused was allowed bail iu one surety of £l2 10s.