SEPARATION DESIRED.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14984, 3 June 1914, Page 4

SEPARATION DESIRED.

! A WIFE'S ALLEGATIONS. Persistent cruelty and failure to maintain wero the grounds upon which Agnes Mary Blanche Black (Mr Johnscon) asked Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M.. in the Magistrate's Court yesterday to 3 givo her a summary separation from her - husband, Robert Black (Mr M. Don- ] ntliy), and to mako an order for maintenance and guardianship. _ Complainant, in tho course of her I story, said she had been married in 18£o, and her life had been blighted by < tho changed attitude of her husband ■ towards her. They had a fruit shop, * and a Mrs Alexander had been employ- , ed as assistant. On one occasion. sho had opened a door suddenly, and j found her husband and Mrs Alexander

sitting on one chair and eating Cadbury's chocolates." Complainant described the life sic had since been leading, and said her husband had forced her to live ia a lntl** cottage, and had failed to t-_-in« tJJQ h.r. She had tried to get him to di-raiss Mrs Alexander, but he had refused to do so. Her. health had suffered by the event, of the past few s months. ~ Evidence in support of this latter r statement was given by Dr. J. Thomas. _ Defendant denied that any imjJro- [!_ priety e"**istod in his relations with Mrs Alexander. Tho fruit -hon was now _* out of his hands, and he was going to work as a gardener at 8s a day. Ho was considerably in debt. Mr Donnelly considered that as grave allegations had been mado as to tho s character of Mrs Alexander, it was only - just that the woman should he allowed - j to state her side of the caso. . The Magistrate said that however mii ) nocont defendant's' relations with this I woman may have been, they were not reasonable in regard to his "wife. Evidently, defendant thought mow* of his business relations with Mrs Alexander " thnn of his domestic relations with his-, > wife. U was not a question of an im- ■ moral act. A man might act towards his wife in such a way as to JMstify.her in taking up a certain attitude, without anytHnj- immoral coming between 1 thorn. * He would order the defendant 1 to pay £1 a week in sun*v>rt of in** wife. ■ but would decline to make an order for ■ separation or guardianship.