WIFE’S PETITION FOR MAINTENANCE

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 37, 7 November 1942, Page 10

WIFE’S PETITION FOR MAINTENANCE

Divorced Husband In Jail (By Telegraph — Press Association.) AUCKLAND. November 0. A wife's petition for permanent maintenance against her divorced husband v.no is now serving a term of four years imprisonment ‘was heard by air. Justice Callan. Petitioner was - Peggy Grigg (Air. Wallace) and, certain legal difhculties having been overcome, the respondent, Haymond Francis Grigg, was able to be present, in Court for consultation with his solicitors, Messrs. Dickson and Meek. Mr. Wallace said the parties were married in 11)38, when the wife was 21 anti the husband -12. They lived together till November of last year, when the wife obtained evidence of her husband s uduitery and shortly afterward divorced him. It was after this that the husband was arrested on a criminal charge for wbicn he was now serving a sentence. The circumstances were somewhat unusual, said counsel. The wife was a beneficiary under the will of her adoptive father, the late Leicester Matson, ot Christchurch, whose estate after bis death last January was valued at £130,000. All liquid assets in the estate had been used in the payment of death duties amounting to about £62,000. \,hnt was left of the estate was unproductive and unsalable and was bringing in no interest. The net income of the estate was £45 a rear. Petitioner was entitled under the will to the interest for life on about £12,000, and the widow was entitled to £4OO a year, but there was no prospect of paying that. Petitioner Had future expectations, but she had nothing today. . , , , His Honour: The only one so far who has done any good out of this estate is the Government. . So far as I can make out, it has done very well. ' Mr. Wallace said Grigg had capital worth between £4200 and £4500 and an annual income of £213. In view of the conduct of the respective parties he asked for maintenance of £4 a week. At present the wife was taking a course in shorthand and typewriting. . Mr. Dickson submitted that his Honour would not award the wife more than a third or at most a half of Grigg’s income. The wife could obtain good employment. He suggested thatjshe should be allowed £2 a week. His Honour had Grigg put in the witness box to explain about a sum of 1000 dollars he had sent to. America with a friend about, two years ago for the purchase of a motor-car. Grigg said he had not heard from the man for 18 months. His Honour said he would take time to consider his decision.