“ MY WIFE SUPPED AND THEN SCREAMED.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18442, 18 April 1928, Page 5

“ MY WIFE SUPPED AND THEN SCREAMED.”

HUSBAND TELLS S.M. HIS STORY OF DISPUTE. On the information of James Lawrence Kelliher, William Cashmere appeared at the Magistrates Court this morning on a charge of assault. Mr H. P. Lawry, S.M., was on the Bench. Mr Hill appeared for informant, and Mr Stacey for accused. In evidence, informant said that he had been separated from his wife. He had been negotiating with her with a view to taking her back, but had found that she was often in the company of William Cashmere. Both he and his wife had come down from Wellington for Easter, and Mrs Kelliher was staying with s<|me people named M’Kenzie, in the Road. On the night in questicfci he had visited the place for a talk with his wife. “ My wife was pacing up and down the room, seemingly perturbed about something,” said the informant. “ I said she could come back with me, but she said she did not want to go back to Wellington. “ When I went to go. she shut the door and flung herself against it. I demanded to be allowed to go. She said she did not want to part in that manner. She said we should be friends, any way. I said * No.’ She persisted in refusing to let me go, so I put my arm around her waist and gave her a swinging push. She slipped and fell down. I think the whole thing was done by prearrangement. She screamed, also by prearrangement, and Cashmere came in and assaulted me. He hit me three times.” Cross-examined by Mr Stacey, Kelliher admitted that he had used several obscene words in public to his wife, and that he had sworn at Cashmere.. He did not know that his wife had fainted and was bruised all over, requiring medical attention. He had never threatened to cut his wife's throat or “ bash her head in ” with a chair. He was not behind with his maintenance. He did not mistake the man who was supposed to have assaulted him. William Cashmere said that he had heard a thud in the passage, and found Mrs Kelliher in the passage on the floor. She screamed. Mr Kelliher had evidently slipped, too. for he had struck his head, and there was blood on his head. After hearing further evidence, the Magistrate said that he was not going to convict. The information was dismissed.