Cruelty Alleged by Blind Man

Grey River Argus, 13 October 1948, Page 8

Cruelty Alleged by Blind Man

WELLINGTON, Oct 12. Intolerable home conditions caused by his wife’s incessant cruelty had made him leave the house and seek another shelter, alleged a blind and crippled man, who' asked for a maintenance order against his wife in the Magistrate’s Court at Wellington yesterday. Frederick Robert Hicks, who made the application, claimed that he led a dog’s life at home, had to have his meals in the basement, sometimes went without food for a whole day and was continually abused and abused by his wife. He left in 1942, at which time he was crippled and partially blind. Gwendoline Elziabeth- Hicks, opposing the order, denied that she had treated he; husband badly. She admitted that she did not want him about the house and would not agree that she had assets amounting to £12.000. “I am not satisfied that he deserted his home,” said the Magistrate, Mr J. S. Hanna, in confirming an earlier order, giving Hicks £1 10s weekly. “He left his wife and would have been glad to return, but a home was refused him. She had ample means and he was left to battle on as best he could. He has no resources now and is in a pitiable plight.”