THRASHED HIS WIFE.

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1434, 1 December 1923, Page 5

THRASHED HIS WIFE.

AND DIDN'T DENT IT.

SEPARATION AND MAINTENANCE

(By Telegraph. Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Friday.

An exhibit in a maintenance case at the Magistrate's Court this morning was a 15-inch length of rope knotted at the end. The wife of William Lewis asked for separation from her husband, maintenance, and guardianship of two children. The husband denied her allegation of persistent cruelty.

Mrs Lewis stated that she had been married five years, and when shown the rope remarked: "He beat me with that rope. He has struck me before." Mr Hunt, S.M.: Beat you with that rope, did he? Why did you not tell the police at the time. I would have given him three months for it. Defendant: I admit I hammered her. She will go out to dance halls. Mr Hunt, to the wife: You have two children to look after. What do you want to go to dance halls for? Mrs Lewis: My mother looks after the children when I am out.

Defendant: I only hit her twice with that rope. Mr Hunt: You had no right to hit her with it at all. How would you like to get half a dozen strokes from it?

Adjutant Gordon,- of the Salvation Army, said the defendant really was a cruel man to his wife. "He was insulting to me when I called at the house," she added. "The wife does not neglect her home or her children. Her mother looks after the children when Mrs Lewis is out.'

The mother-in-law stated that she had lived with her son-in-law for nearly five years. She had counted thirteen marks of the rope on her daughters body. Defendant remarked: I have kept you and your son for five years. I apologise for hitting my wife with the rope.

Mr Hunt: It is no good apologising. What you want is for someone to give you thirteen strokes with it. I make an order for separation, guardianship of the children, and maintenance at the rate of £2 2s per week. Defendant: I am owner of the house. Who is to go out, me or my missus? Mr Hunt: If you like to leave her in the house you can get the order reduced.

Defendant: If I have to leave her I leave her for keeps. They wanted me to sign over the house for the last two years. I'll sell the house. I can do better with it in my pocket. I'll give the house away before they shall get it. Defendant then walked out of the Court, whereupon Mr Hunt remarked to the lawyer: "You had better put a charge on that house right away." "I will do so at once,' 'answered the lawyer. _^___