AND AND WIFE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 476, 7 April 1909, Page 4

AND AND WIFE.

,j , i -* . ■' AUCKLAND CASE. , (Of, TEM TJI—SrECIiI CORRESPONDENT.) Auckland,. April 6. Tbo matrimonial affairs of James William Grihbltf have occupied the Magistrate's attentiV.. at the Auckland Police Court on frequent occasions, and, this morning, the climax was reached when, bo again occupied tho dock on a charge, of having assaulted his young wifo. Mr. Lundon appeared for the complainant, and Mr. Singer for tho defendant.

Complainant, in her evidence, said that, at present, she was living with her father, her twelve months old child being in her custody. She ha"d a maintenance order against her husband. On tho day in question ho came to the house nt about 3 p.m. and asked lor n cup of tea, which she went to get for him. Mr. Kettle:. Did you invite him? Witness: Wo. Continuing, sho said that, while getting tho tea accused began swearing at her, and sho ordered him to leave- the house. Ho replied that he had to go to the "wall" for fourteen clays on account of the order 'which she had got out, and said that ho would givo her some money to go on with. When she was in the passage ho assaulted her, inflicting bodily injury.. Subsequently lie aslterl her for a shilling, but sho said she did not have one, and Gribble. then tried to pull her wedding ring, off, but failed. She seized a poker to protect herself, but he grabbed ;t, using bad language during tho struggle. Thoir child, which was in a perambulator in, charge of a little girl, then came under his notice, and he directed another volley of language at the infant. Before witness's father returned ha had left the house. Mr. Kettle: Then this was an unprovoked and brutal attack on you when you were alone- in the house? Witness: Yes. Mr. Kettle: Do you swear that this was absolutely against your will? "Witnoss: Yes. Did you try to call out?—Ho had his hand over my mouth, and' I could not. - : Defendant, in his evidence, stated that he was just 21 years of age, and was at present out- of employment. Ho had gone to surrender himself to the polico for the default of the order, but, as no warrant had been issued, he. oould not be arrested Tho sergeant Jio saw suggested that he should seo his wife, and witness did so. Mr. Kottle: Had you been drinking?— Yes. Tho defendant went on to say that he had' lost his billet as the result of" the last proceedings. His wife asked him inside when he gnt to tho house, and asked "him to have a cup of tea. After that he could not remember anything clsn. Jlr. Kettle; You hccniuo:unconscious of your acts after she asked you to have a cup of tea?— Yes. j lour mind was an absolute blank?—Yos. Mr. Kettle said that tho widenco of the complainant made one wonder if defendant's mind were not diseased. Ho would bo convicted and rcmnndoil for sentence until Saturday.