A SISTER’S SUPPORT.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18808, 2 December 1932, Page 6

A SISTER’S SUPPORT.

BROTHERS TO PAY. HUSBAND UNABLE TO WORK. “Well, this lady is destitute — there is no doubt about that and there seems to me no reason why these two gentlemen should not contribute something towards her support,” said Mr Wyve-rn Wilson, S.M., in the Hamilton Magistrate’s Court this morning, in considering an elderly married woman’s application for maintenance orders against a brother, William Richard Charles Jamieson, and a half-brother, D. B. ’Hooper. The application was supported- by Mr F. A. Swarbrick, Mr N. Johnson, representing tooth defendants.

it was shown in evidence that the applicant, Agnes Alice Lock, was being assisted largely by the Charitable Aid Board. Her husband was under medical treatment and unable lo work. Her grown-up married children were all in straitened circumstances and unable to contribute to her support. For the defence It was contended that whereas Hooper had assisted the applicant over a lengthy period he was unable to do so further. He was a married man with a family of six children. lie was farming at Otorolianga and had a substantial overdraft at the bank. The 'brother, Jamieson, was on a small farm at Ili M crest —his late mother's/estate from which he was to receive £OOO when it was sold. He was a single man suffering from war disabilities which 'prevented him from indulging in hard physical work. He had offered his sister a home with him. but she had not availed herself of Hie offer.

in making an order against Hooper for 12s Od a week and one- of 7s 00 against Jamieson, llis Worship remarked that Ihese men were probably becoming rather tired of helping (heir sislee, because in doing so they were helping an indigent husband who was unable, on his own slalenieut, lo work any more. Thai of course was an nnforlunale position for the near relatives of the wife ns they had io bear Ihe burden. However, that was the law.

His Worship assured Mr Johnson that be bad not forgotten Jamieson's offer of a home to Mrs Lock. He did not think, however, that it was reasonable and proper that the wife should lie expecled lo live away from her husband.