The Liability of Husbands

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1842, 9 June 1886, Page 2

The Liability of Husbands

It is a good rule of law tbat a husband is responsible lor thb debts contracted by bis wile. Should a husband fail to support his wile she can “ pledge his credit ” by purchasing " necessaries ” in the shape of food, clothing, Ac., for the use and support of herself and children, and the husband can be compelled to pay for the goods so purchased. But there are exceptions to every rule, and here is an instance. Mr M'Culloch, R.M , at Invercargill, has just given a decision of import uncb to business people. A baker sued a cabinet maker (or the price of bread supplied to the cabinet maker’s wife. The contention for the defence was that defendant had supplied bis wife witli money to pay for the bread, and had given distinct instructions not to pledge Lis credit Mr M'Culloch held that, according to the law, defendant was not liable, even if tbe plaintiff had never been informed of the circumstances.