“LIGHT AND AIRY.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17347, 30 September 1924, Page 7

“LIGHT AND AIRY.”

A HUSBAND’S ATTITUDE. SOLICITOR SUED FOR MAINTENANCE. In th« Magistrate's Court to-day Dorothy Evelyn Uenniston proceeded against Archibald Lyon Denniston, barrister and solicitor, of Auckland, for disobedience of an order for the maintenance of herself and child, the amount, of the arrears, it was stated, being £O. The maintenance officer (Mr P. Jones) appeared for the complainant, end \fr Hanna for defendant. Mr Hanna said that he was unable to put anv evidence liefore the Court. The order was made on August 29. for the payment of £‘3 per week for the maintenance of the wife and child On the night previous to the hearing of the case, defendant wired asking for an adjournment, but the Court refused, be cause defendant had given no reason a to why he wanted the adjournment Counsel admitted that defendant had been dilatory, and. being a solicitor of the Supreme Court, should have known what, was required of him. Defendant bad sent a letter stating that his earn ings were only £5 per week, out of which he paid office expenses. Tt was obviously impossible for defendant to keep up payments as required, and yes terday an application to have the matter reviewed had been filed, and it would he necessary to have defendant’s evidence taken in Auckland. Counsel did not want to say anything about defendant except, to employ a colloquial phrase, that he was “ up against it.” In a letter defendant stated: “I have just started practice again My lent is £2 10s per week, incidental expenses £1 10s. and personal expenses T'ot less than £2 10s. My cash earnings are not more than £5. How is it to bo clone ?’» Counsel admitted that dofendant should have taken steps to put his case before the Court sooner. Per haps in the circumstances the Court might consider some leniency to him. The maintenance officer said he would oppose strongly any adjournment. Defendant had practically left his wife and child destitute. Complainant had been in receipt of help from her father, but that had ceased on the death of the latter. Now she had to go out and earn her own living. Defendant had been particularly callous. It was shown that not only had defendant not attempted to assist his wife in any way. but also* he had sold the w hole of the chattels and wedding presents stored in Dunedin. For the reason that defendant had not taken any steps to request the Court to help him, an order was asked for. The Magistrate (Mr AVworn Wilson), to Mr Hanna: The little excerpt you have read from the defendant’s letter is quite typical of hi nr. It is light, airy and irresponsible, and that has been his attitude towards his wife for years past ‘‘lf lie wants that little delay For the taking of evidence and placing his position before the Court, ho can find a little money to keep him free. He will he sentenced to seven days’ imprisonment to he released on pnynlent of £-5.”