NOVELIST SUED.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18478, 5 November 1931, Page 7

NOVELIST SUED.

DRESSES FOR HIS WIFE. PLAINTIFFS’ CONTENTION. United Press Assn.—Electric Tel. Copyrlghl LONDON, Nov. 3. His Honour Mr Justioe McCardie, a baohelor judge, is trying an action in. which West End dressmakers are suing Mr Gilbert Frankau, the novelist, for £265 for dresses supplied to his Wife, who Is petitioning for a divorce It was stated in evidence'! that Frankau allowed his wife £6OO a year for clothes and pocket money, apart from £2400 housekeeping allowance. The case turns upon the proportion of her husband’s income a wife is entitled to spend on dress. Plaintiffs contended that a wife is entitled to spend at least a tenth of her husband's income on clothes. They gave evidence that Mrs Frankau ordered £250 worth of clothing In-two days. She admitted it was extravagance but said her husband was earning £7OOO annually and at one time nearly £II,OOO. Frankau gave evidence that never In the last seven years had he earned over £6OOO and his Income in 1930 was only £2167. Moreover he was paying his first wife £IOOO per annum