INTERESTING TO HUSBANDS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1968, 15 June 1880, Page 3

INTERESTING TO HUSBANDS.

Gentlemen afflicted with extravagant wives may derive some consolation from a perusal of the following decision given by the Court of Appeal in England: —Mrs Mellor, the wife of a man in a respectable position (manager of a railway hotel at Bradford), ordered some articles of dress of Messrs Debenham and Freebody upon credit, which were sent in to her at her husband’s residence in the usual course. There was no contention that the dresses were extravagant, or unsuited to Mrs_ Mellor’s station, or overcharged, or objectionable in any way whatever. Indeed, Lord Justice Bramwell seems to have thought that the very vague word “ necessaries ” might have been fairly applied to them, and no question as to their price was so much as raised. Nevertheless, when the bill was sent in, the husband refused to pay for them, alleging, quite truly and conscientiously, as it would appear, that ho had strictly forbidden his wife to buy anything upon bis credit, that sbo had disobeyed his commands, and that consequently he should not pay for the dresses. He adhered to this decision, and Messrs Debenham sued him for the money. The Court, however, decided that the husband was not liable, and Messrs Debdenham, whoso business, with that of every other silk mercer, is attacked by the decision at the root, carried their plaint up to the Court of Appeal. There, however, three Judges—Lord Justice Bramwell, Lord Justice Baggallay, and Lord Justice Thesiger —unanimously agreed, in two elaborately reasoned judgments, that the Court below were right, and that if a husband prohibited his wife from pledging his credit, that prohibition ended his liability, even though it was privately given, and remained entirely unknown to the tradesmen concerned.”

THE STEAMER NORFOLK. All the steerage passengers by this vessel are on Bipa Island* including the family whoso children were reported to have shown symptoms of small pox Yesterday morning word reached the officials from the doctor of the ship that upon s closer examination of these symptoms he did not think it was small-pox. Upon receipt of this news the Health Officer, Dr. Rouse, Dr. H. Macdonald and the Immigration Officer went off to the quarantine station, where they found the children had very much improved. Of the diagnosis there is some uncertainty as to it being small-pox. There are very mild symptoms of small pox after vaccination, but from the condition of the children yesterday these symptoms are not regarded as likely to develop into the dreaded disease. All the other arrivals by the steamer now on the island and on board are in good health, and it is probable that the vessel will speedily be admitted to pratique. The officials are, however, using every requisite precaution.