ARREARS OF MAINTENANCE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 46, Issue 14099, 16 April 1920, Page 5

ARREARS OF MAINTENANCE.

A VERY HARD CASE. YOUNG MAN BEFORE COURT. A young man named Robert Haines was charged at the Masterton PoliceT Court this morning with being in ar- ; rears on a maintenance order for the support of his brothers in ap Industrial home. Mr Burridge, who appeared for defendant,'Said that the Education .Department’s statements, showed that £lO 13s 5d was owing up till March 31st, whereas the Clerk of the Court in Matsorlon said liis books showed arrears of £ll up till the 20tli Janu-.

Ills Worship said-a mistake had evidently been made in the Education Department’s books. Mr Burridge said defendant was keeping his mother and helping to support another brother. He was a hardworking man, but had not the means to pay up on the, maintenance order.

Defendant in evidence sai<P he returned from active service in August, 1919. While he was away the maintenance order had been taken from liis military pay. He earned £3 IBs d week, and gave it all to his mother, with the exception of five shillings a week. He had to help to keep his brother, who was mentally and physically weak. Out of his gratuity of £42|, witness had bought clothes and a bike to ride to work.

His Worship said it was time defendant paid 'something on the order. He was ordered to pay the amount of £lO 13s od forthwith, the order to be suspended so long as defendant pays 3s fid per weelt.