A REMARKABLE CASE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 287, 23 August 1918, Page 5

A REMARKABLE CASE

SOLDIER OBTAINS LEAVE TO APPLY FOR. DIVORCE. By Telegraph.-Prces Association." Gisborne, August 22. A -remarkable case came before the Hilitary Service Board to-day, when an appellant named Lance-Corporal C. A. Barnfatlier, who asked for an extension of leave, was eeveroly criticised for giving what the board characterised as doubtful evidence. The chairman stated that the appellant had already applied for leavo to enable him to carry out divoroe proceedings. He, was given leave, but his pay was stopped, and he asked for full pay as he was supporting children. A report was later received from the military authorities which' put quite » different complexion on the case, and the authorities desired that full inquiries be made in the matter. The appellant 6aid his wife deserted him in 1913, and was away for a month. She then returned and endeavoured to make it up with him, hut he Tefnsed. Appellant added that when ho refused to make it up with his wife she had an order made against him for maintenance. Witness's mother looked after the children. Just before he embarked on a troopship his wife took the children from his mother's care and claimed maintenance. The chairman: How did you return from service to the Dominion?

Appellant: My colonel said it was a deserving case and urged mo to Teturn to New Zealand to conduct divorce proceedings. Captain Bealo: You aro making blackguardly statements against your wife. Jiavo any proceedings token pluce yet? It is two or three months ago since you were last before the board in Wellington. Appellant: It is a difficult matter to piece tho information together. Was not tho trouble caused by your failure to maintaiu her and the children?—" No." Was not there a prosecution against you in 1915 for failing to support, your wife and family?—"l cannot remember that." Captain Bealo-. You have misled_ tho authorities at the front; you have misled the board, and now you have niado fnlso statements against your wife. Mr. B. M.. Birroll deposed that ho was chairman of the Claims Committee of tho -Citizens' Defence Committee and had jone fully into the case. About 15 months ago Mrs. Barnfatlier was getting no allowance whatever. Representations were mado to the authorities concerned, and tho children's allowance was mado, but no separation allowance or allotment. The Mavor and himself secured tho allotment." Witness had used every method to ascertain if there was any truth in tho statement of appellant against his wife, but without success. Barnfatlier returned to New Zealand by some means or other, and the wife's allowance stopped. Witness telegraphed to Wellington, but failed to secure any satisfaction, and tho Claims Committee had been obliged to subsidiso the wife in tho meantime. The chairman (to appellant): How long worn you on active service?

Appellant: About twelve mouths. Mr. Burnard said the man's bona fides had been challenged and ho asked for a remand till the afternoon in order to call appellant',* mother.' The chairman: Wo aro wanting to know why he attempted to mislead this lward. The records wo have show that an order was made for ihc maintenance of the children.

Captain lieale: T would like to see this man sent into camp immediately. He is loafing round the town and making no attempt to support his children. Appellant: 'fhey aro mine by rights, and should be in my custody.

The chairman: The hoard considers that the appellant should cither proceed with divorce proceedings immediately or go bad; into camp.

Canlain Ho ; >lo : ITe has been here three months. Will the board fix a time? Tho chairman: By the nest sitting of tho board.