DOMESTIC FRACAS.

Waikato Times, Issue 12446, 2 December 1912, Page 5

DOMESTIC FRACAS.

VENTILATED IN COURT. "" « AN ULSTER STREET EPISODE. "BETTEB TO RECEIVE THAN TO GIVE." An amusing story of a domestic f-'acas was unfolded before Mr F. O'B. Loughnan, S.M., at the Hamilton Court this afternoon, when the wives of two respected residents of Ulster street, named Eliza Harris and Annie Rogers related the incidents of f wordy war which occurred between them on a recent occasion. It is unnecessary to say that the two versions differed somewhat.

Mr Northcroft appeared for Harris, who asked for an order binding over Rogers to keep the peace. Mr GiJlies represented Rogers. According to Mr Northcroft, the trouble arose througi Rogers, who, he said, had a capacity foi making mischief, telling a woman named Mrs Fan-ell, whose husband drove a taxi, that Mrs Harris had informed her that her husband (Mr Harris) had complained that the hire Farrell had charged him for. driving his little girl to the hospital was too high. Meeting Mrs Rogers and Mrs Farrell in the street, she taxed defendant with the matter, and in return was subjected by Rogers to considerable abuse. Mrs Harris went into the box and told His Worship that defendant had quite falsely infoimed Mrs Farrell that her (complainant's) husband had stated that Farrell had overcharged her for the motor car. When she spoke to Mrs Rogers in Mrs Farrell';; presence, and questioned her on the subject, she turned on her and told her she was a "rotten, dirty liar." She, heing a little deaf, did not quite hear what Mrs Rogers said, and begged her pardon, when Mrs Rogers swung her arms about, told her to go away, and that she was a "dirty, low woman," also remarking that to beg hey (Mrs Harris') pardon was more than she would do.

In cross-examination by Mr Gillies, complainant said she had been advised on the case by a Mr Fletcher, who was a gentleman and keeping company vjith a friend of hers. E'er husband approached Mrs Rogers and asked for an apology. She had lived beside Mrs Rogers for nine months, but had returned good for evil, and she would rather receive an insult than give one. It was true she had a conversation over the fence shortly after her child went to the hospital. Mrs Rogers asked if she would 'like to put her clothes through her (Mrs Rogers') wringer. Mrs Rogers then inquired if she was going to see her child, and she (complainant) asked what Mr Farrell would be likely to charge her to take her to the lospital. Mrs Rogers said Farrell charged at the rate of 12s 6d an hour, to which she (Harris) replied that this was moie than a bricklayer's wage. Oon the occasion of the quarrel, Mrs Rogers said things to her which .had never been said to her before. She had always been, she declared, a true and loyal woman to hei husband and children. Mrs Rogers and Mrs Farrell were as thick as thieves, while she (complainant) had no friends. Mrs Rogers came very close to her .when sh: called her a "dirty, low woman," and she (complainant) stepped back as she thought Mrs Rogers might strike her. Had she not immediately retired, she on her part might have assaulted defendant. She came there to get back her good name, as she was now branded in Ulster street as a low. dirty woman. She was afraid of the woman. Had she not stepped tack when Mrs Rogers Ci.lled her a low woman, she would have received a blow, as defendant struck out. It was only by an effort that she restrained herself from "going in and giving Mrs Rogers one." Complainant left the box in tears. A widow named Mrs Rabe, living in Richmond street, said she overheard the altercation. Mrs Harris told defendant itwas not true she had complained of overcharge, when Mrs Rogers told her she was a "dirty rotten liar." A few moments later she saw Mrs Rogers swing her arms about, and hoard her call Mrs Harris a "dirty, low woman." She followed Mrs Harris into the house (where the latter fainted), and remained with her until her husband returned. She (witness), her daughter, Mrs Harris and Fletcher were present when <1 letter was composed to Mm Rogers asking for an apology. At this stage Mrs Rogers communicated to her solicitor that Fletcher (who was sitting next to Mr Northcroft at the solicitors' table) was signing to witness. Fletcher informed His Worship that he only nodded his head in order to tell witness to look towards the Bench. Mr Gillies then asked that Fletcher fee given another seat. The request was acceded to.

Witness, continuing, said that if anybody had called her a dirty, low woman, she would feel inclined to "tear her head off right away." His Worship said it was not a nice thing to call a woman. To his mind it did not necessarily mean an abstention from soap and water, or that the person so addressed was in a humble position. It rather implied something further, a slur on the woman's chastity. Mr Gillies said the word apparently had the same effect as "scab" at Waihi. (Left sitting.)