FAMILY JARS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1390, 25 March 1912, Page 2

FAMILY JARS.

HUSBAND AND WIFE IX COURT. (By Toleeraph.-Spcclal Correspondent.) , Auckland,'-March Hi. There is a human touch about a story • related in the "Herald" on Saturday • which gives it quite a heart interest de- ■ spite its sordid setting. The case narrated : is that of a matrimonial disagreement which Mr; C. C. Kettle, S.M., was called ' upon to denl with lit tho Magistrate's Court. Rovoi'inn While charged her husband, William M. White, villi failing to ■ provide her and their four children with maintenance, with treating her cruelly, ' and with being habitually given to the wo. i of intoxicant*. Mr. Quart ley, who appeared for the complainant, said the defendant was a tailor in business at Dovonport, and his conduct towards his wife bad been tuch that she ' was compelled to seek the protection of the Court. ' "All right," paid his Worship, "let her , como into the box." And tho complain-, ant, a good-looking, tidily-dressed little- ', woman, with a two-year-old boy in her , arms, roso up to take tho oath. -As she • ror.o and passed round the end of tho solicitors' table, the baby commenced to ' scream, as if in fear of his life, tho , strange surroundings evidently being too ' much for infantile nerves. Tho father, who had been silling on the form at tho ■'• other side of tho co\irt, came to the rescue. , He held out his arms, and tho woe toddler .' van into them confidently. ,Tho father took him on his knee, and rocked him as if to tho tuno of au imaginary lullaby, ! and the mother Rave her evidence the while. II \ras not. very interesting evi- ' donee, or rather tliero wns nothing very , remai-kablo about it. The cruelty com- > plained of wns apparently not serious. It included a- statement by the wife that her husband had tbumped her on tho back, . and had "flicked her across tho face with .1 towel," while on the other hand tho husband complained that his.wife was always "slinging off" at his relations. '1 lio curious thins about it wns that each professed affection for the ether, and willingness to live together again. His Worship gave them a few words of excellent ailyica and adjourned (lie matter for a month.