“MAINTENANCE SHOULD BE PAID INTO COURT.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19237, 26 November 1930, Page 4

“MAINTENANCE SHOULD BE PAID INTO COURT.”

(Special to the “ Star.”) AUCKLAND, November 25. During the hearing of a maintenance case at the Police Court this morning when a man was charged with being in arrears of an order made in favour ot his wife, counsel for the husband mentioned that a certain sum had beer, paid into his office by defendant. The Magistrate (Mr F. K. Hunt) condemned the practice of moneys being paid into solicitors’ offices instead of to the Court where the orders were made. “ Legislation will have to be duced 500. n,” said Mr Hunt. “ Constantly, destitute people come here to the Court stating that they have not received any money after an order has been made. Such money should be paid into the Court so that a proper record can be kept of it.. Husbands and also other defendants in maintenance cases pay it to solicitors who act either for them or for the complainants, and it is often kept for fees. Why,

I remember one case where £lO was paid and the solicitor kept the lot.” “ In this particular case the woman won’t get a penny for herself,” said the maintenance officer (Mr W. J. Campbell). “On every maintenance order it is clearly stated that the money must be paid into the Court.” added Mr Hunt. “ Defendants in such cases should see that they pay it into the right place/*