A WOMAN'S HARDSHIP

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 297, 4 September 1918, Page 6

A WOMAN'S HARDSHIP

CASE FOR FINANCIAL HELP. A'case of extreme hardship came before Mr. F. V. Frazer, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday, in an action in which possession of a house . ivas claimed from a .woman, the wife of a soldier. • / . The_ plaintiff sued for £8 2s. 6d. arrears in rent, and possession of a house from a married woman. Sir. M. F. Luckie, who appeared for plaintiff, said the house was let -to defendant's husband at a. rental of 15s. per week. The man was a soldier, and part of the rent was paid by the Financial Assistance Board. When the regulations increasing wives' separation allowances were made the board reduced the allowance, and only paid 2s. 6d. per week. Since that time no rent had been paid with the exception of 2s. 6d. per week.

Defendant informed the Coiirt that she admitted the rent was owing, hut said she possessed no means with which to pay it. The house had been let to her husband and not to her. She had two small children, was in a delicate state of health, and, had not'' enough money to engage a nurse.' Because her husband had 'not been able to get leave, which he had applied for on account of her condition, he had deserted camp, and was at present confined in the detention barracks, While he was in detention she received no separation allowance, and was thus in very, straitened circumstances. She had tried to get a house, but could not do so, and if she were put out of tho placo where she was living at present she would have nowhere to go. Mr. Luckie said that in these circumstances lie would not' press tho claim for rent, and suggested that tho matter might stand over for two months until the, position had been investigated, and the woman had had an opportunity of getting over her difficulties. His Worship said he was glad Mi. Luckio had adopted that view of the matter, because ho certainly would havo refused to make any order. Now that the facts had been ventilated, perhaps the Patriotic Society, or some other body, would como to the woman's assistance and arrange, to do something for her. . Th'fi case was adjourned for two months.