THE PATH OF COURTSHIP.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1381, 6 March 1912, Page 4

THE PATH OF COURTSHIP.

A STORY TOLD IN COURT. A very unusual story was unfolded in the Magistrate's Court yesterday morn,ing, when a young man appeared in the witness-box as a. judgment debtor. "This man," Bijid Jlr. 11.I 1 . W. Jackson (tho woman's solicitor), "was engaged to be married to the judgment creditor. She lent him .CliO to lie!)) to make a home for them. No sooner had lie got the money than he cleared out of Kew Zealand to America, and remained a\yay two years anil a half. During that time tho engagement was kept up. lie married when lie ciuiio back—but ho married another girl. A distress warrant was taken out. but ho had taken good ca.ro to put all his goods in (ho naiiio of his wife. It is a very mean business right throughout." .In reply to questions, tho debtor swore that his wages were £i 7s. a week, and thiil: he had no interest in his father's business.

Mr. Jackson: Have you no other means? ■—"I draw a pension for an arm I got injuml in the Cnited States." How much does that amount to?— "Kiglit shillings a week, when I have, paid exchange." Could you not pay that to her —"No, because, I'm not always in full work owing to my injured nrni." tint didn't you get married in the faco of this?—" Yes." Debtor remarked that if the circumstances were such that he could ventilate llinm ho would lie ablo to clear himself. • .11 r. Jackson: 1 would point out that if he had not got this money he could not have, had his arm injured in America—the arm for which he now draws u pension. ] think it is ii case in which an order should be made. One might say it is a casn of almost fraud. Dr. ll'Arthur, S.M.: You don't allege fraud. ifr. Jnckson: But it amounts to that. You see, he got tho money under promise of marriage, ami I think it was the next day ho sailed. Mr. Jackson again submitted that though tho debtor's incomo was small tho case, was one in which a small order should be made. Dr. lU'Arthur: Well, you can't take tho brooks off a Highlander, you know. An order that the debtor should pay the debt oh" by instalments of 10s. per month was made. Debtor: I don't think I can pay it, your Worship. Dr. jit'Arhtnr: You will have to try. If you don't pay, you will havo to undergo ii default.