ARREARS OF MAINTENANCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 107, 8 May 1934, Page 6

ARREARS OF MAINTENANCE

RETIRED PROFESSOR'S CASE. [ Per Press Association. I WELLINGTON, May 7. David James Richards, retired professor, entertained a crowded Court when he came before Mr. Stilwell, S.M., to-day on two charges of being in arrears of maintenance, one in respect of his wife and another relating to his child. In .replying to allegations that he owed £l2 for his wife’s maintenance, and £3 for his child’s maintenance, he stated that he had been the victim of “sharp practice” of a Wellington firm of solicitors. “The position is this,” said Mr. Stilwell, “that you have had money in your savings bank account and for reasons you deem fit, you have paid it to solicitors and other sources. But you have to remember that there is an order of the Court in respect of the

maintenance of your wife and chill. ” “I would have to pay my legal debts even ij she were living with me. I’m not going bankrupt for this woman ui anybody else," replied Richards. The magistrate advised Richards to bring on an application for the varia- ■ tion of the maintenance order if he felt ' justified. He convicted Richards on both charges, and on the one relating to his wife, he sentenced him to one mouth’s imprisonment to be released on payment of £l2. On the charge relating to the child, he imposed a sentence of ten days’ imprisonment, to be released on payment of £3. The sentences were to be concurrent. “Fifteen pounds!” exclaimed Richards. “How can I do it? I haven’t got it.” Counsel for the wife began to address Mr. Stilwell on the question of arrears, when he was interrupted by Richards. “Send him out,” directed the magistrate, and Richards was piloted outside by a Court orderly. “ This man is labouring under a sense of very great injustice, most of it imaginary, no doubt,” commented the magis trat v.