MONSTROUS CASE OF A MAJOR AND HIS WIFE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXV, Issue 4254, 3 July 1895, Page 6

MONSTROUS CASE OF A MAJOR AND HIS WIFE.

There was a summons, at West London Police Court, recently against Major Frank Ernest Shelly Claridqe, late of the 2nd West India Regiment, residing at Victoria Mansions, Guildford street, Russell square, with respect to the maintenance of his wife Elizabeth Claridge, who was in the receipt of outdoor relief from the Fulham Union. In consequence of the statement of the relieving officer that the defendant's wife was in a destitute condition, and had not any decent clothes in which to appear at the court, Mr Curtis Bennett granted some money out of the poor box for the purchase of some. It appeared that the defendant had retired from the army, receiving a gratuity of £1,600. He instituted divorce proceedings against his wife, who also filed a petition for alimony. The divorce suit fell through for want of evidence, and the petition was dismissed. The defendant, on being sworn, said he was not aware his wife had a child before marriage. He gave a general denial to his wife's answer to the divorce suit, but on being pressed he admitted having received sums amounting to £700 from one gentleman, who was in India. Mr Curtis Bennett came to the conclusion that the defendant had levied blackmail upon the men who misconducted themselves with his wife before and after his marriage. A more monstrous case could not be conceived. He made an order upon the defendant to pay 10s a week for the support of his wife, with costs. He also said, it would not prevent the wife from taking other proceedings.