HALF-WITTED HUSBAND

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16782, 11 July 1922, Page 8

HALF-WITTED HUSBAND

CURIOUS COURT CASE. “ Mother said you’ve married me, and now vou’ve got to keep me.” This is whgj> AYilliam Frank Tebay said to his wife when she tried to impress upon him the necessity for earning some money to keep the home going ir. the year 1921. The remark came out as evidence during the hearing to-da r of one of the most curious cases that has been heard in the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court for some time. Mr AYyvern Wilson, S.M.. was on the bench. Alargaret Eliza bet Tebay, age! twenty-three late of Mussel Bay, South Africa, proceeded against her husband, AYilliam Frank Tebay. for separation maintenance and guardianship orders. Air A. J. Mailer appeared for Airs Tebay and Afr *J. A. Fle&her for the husband.

Alargaret Tehav <said that she was married on March 14, 1921. Her husband lived with her for three and a half months. He ’only worked about two weeks .and she made an effort ta get him work. She had £SO when she came out from South Africa. She had never received anv money since her husband left her. All her money was spent in maintaining herself and the baby and all she had now left was £!• To Air Flesher : Her mother lived in St Helena, and her father was a F rencliman. Wliat about this letter you wrote to your husband admitting misconduct? You made me write the letter. Aon said that if I did 3 could get a divorce. AVhat! Did’nt T warn you of the serious consequences of making such a statement as that which was in the letter ?—No. Emma Eliza Tebay. the defendant’s mother, said her son was 27 years of age. He had lived with her for years, and lie was not mad. The defendant was unable to give evidence, so the mother continued with a. description of the marriage. “Maggie” had said “Come along Bill, to the Registrar’s, and let us get married. T’ve got £SO, and we can have a fine honeymoon in AYellington.” It was this picture that bad lured *' Bill ” on. He told the girl that he had £2OO coming to him on his birthday, hut he could not see the. value of money and knew nothing about his affairs, for what he did have was £IOO as insurance, which matured when he was forty. The Ala gist rate : T can’t see any use in letting this continue. The complainant certainly has a bad bargain in a half-witted husband, hut that cannot ho helped. He is a strong man and should he able to •«nrn something on a farm. The man had married the woman and he would have to make an effort to maintain her. Air Elesher—lt's a hopeless case. The Magistrate—Well, I grant the orders asked for. and fix maintenance at £1 for the wife and 7s 6d for the child. The sum of £IOO will have to he lodged with the Public Trustee as security.