INTENTION TO DESERT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1398, 8 March 1905, Page 2

INTENTION TO DESERT.

At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning, before Mr W. A. Barton, S.M., Matthew Donald, aged 62 years, a farmer at Wnerenga-a-hika, charged his wife, Mary Donald, with being a person with property who was intending to desert and leave him without adequate means of support. Mr Stock, supported by Mr Bright, appeared for complainant, and Mr Arthur Coleman for defendant. Complainant stated he wa3 married eight years ago. He then owned 46 acres of land at Waerenga-a-hika and stock and plant valued at £3OO. His wife was now the owner of the property by deed of I assignment. About two or three weeks ago he left home because he was abused by his brother-in-law. His wife told him a.month ago that she intended going to America in April. She said she had sold the 46 acres of land. She asked witness to go with her to America, but this he refused to do.

Mr- Coleman admitted that the land had boen sold to Mr M’Connell for £1360. Mortgages amounting to £5lO had to bo deducted, leaving about £BOO. Ha was not prepared to admit the goods said to be in defendant’s possession; Evidence in support of complainant’s Statement was given by Bobert Colebrook, storekeeper, Wuerengaa-hiko, and James Mullooly, SHttler. For tbe defence Mary Donald stated she bad owned 46 acres which she had sold a ;£3O an aore. There wero encumbrance amounting to £SOO. Complainant hac been managing the farm, but they hat I lost moneyieach year in crops. She alsc owed debts amounting to about £IOO Her mother and brother, who had eomt out from America, had been staying with her since last November. She had told her husband she intended going to America as soon as she was ready, and he told her she could please herself. Ho did not say whether he would go or not. Her reason for going to America was becauso she wanted to have her sight attended to. She was blind in one eye, and tbc other was affected. Her mother and brother were

returning, and she intended going back with them.

j After an adjournment to allow tho I parties to come to an agreement, which they failed to do", His Worship made an ■ order for maintenance at 103 per week, starting from the 14th inst., and also ordered defendant to enter into a bond for £3OO, and find two for £2OO each, in de- I fault two months’ imprisonment in Napier gaol.