MARRIAGE THAT FAILED

Hokitika Guardian, 11 August 1927, Page 4

MARRIAGE THAT FAILED

OLD COUPLE FAIL TO MAKE GOOD. He was nearly 80. She was nearly* 70. But the joy of life was still strong in them botlt, and with visions, no doubt, of a Joan and Darby existence, they resolved to wed, and did.

Unlike Joan and Darby, however, the reign of bliss was short—so short that it was all over in a week-end. And this in spite of the fact that she had had 50 years in New Zealand, ana already had successfully reared a family, while his faith and hope had stood the test of four previous excursions into matrimony. Yet it was these four ventures that chiefly contributed to bis downfall, according to the story toi'd in the Alagistrate'.s Court at New Plymouth on Thursdnv.

'1 lie basis on which the tale was tin- j folded was an innocent enough looking civil claim by Aliss C. 11. Retford, ladies' outfitter, of New Plymouth, against Edwin Bennett, of Stratford, for L’i9 19s Id, being the value of goods supplied to the latter’s wife. Only lid saved the case from being missed altogether, for the magistrate was absent, and the J.P.’s jurisdiction does not extend beyond a sum of £2O. Arriving post haste from Stratford, counsel for Bennett proceeded at some length to move that the hearing ?jc transferred to Stratford, chiefly because bis client was not in sufficiently good circumstances to hear the cost of an investigation in New Plymouth. To his other arguments, the opposing counsel added the information that the defendant was at that moment outside the courthouse, and, taking all things into consideration, .Messrs R. Cock and P. J. 11. White, J.P.’s ordered the case to proceed. In the evidence, the court was toi'd that Mr and Alls Bennett had been married at the end of last year. In certain letters produced, Airs Bennett maintained that her husband had misrepresented things from the start, giving her to understand that he was a retired gentleman, whereas in reality lie was an old-age pensioner. She also stated why she had left him after as short a time as one week-end. FOUR DEAD WIVES.

On Hie Saturday night, she said. I key sat round the fire, and he talked of untiling else but his lour dead wives, whose portraits he insisted should he allowed to remain in the 1 i m:• . Furthermore, he had a plot at the cemetery reserved for her. alongside the places of his deceased wives, but lie himself had decided to be buried un top of one of the other wives. He was a most (onteniptiblo man, and too nr.an for anything, she added. He would not give* her 2s for fruit when

: lie wanted it ; lie was addicted to j diink; and bis best suit of clothes was j twelve years- oi’d. Altogether, he had icinpletcly tailed to maintain her in a manner conforming with her ideas ol ■ life, so she left him on the Alonday. ] Since leaving him she had lived ;il- j lernately aL Auckland and New Plymouth, and would not consider going hark - > him unless lie fulfilled certain ( onditions. In the first place Stratford was ton cold, and he must move to Auckland. In addition lie must iiiithe himself better, allow her to be mistress in her own house, give tier sufficient money to maintain the home, rad generally behave in a respectable manner. If he did not do these things, on the other band, she would sue him I r mainteoain e. Through being married to him she was untomiuatoly debated from marrying anyone else. This evidence was merely incidental’ to the point of issue, which was the question of whether defendant was liable for the debt contracted by his wife. His counsel submitted strongly that since his wife had undoubtedly left. him. according to the law he was not liable, independent of whether Aliss Retford was or was not familiar with

the position. In ’'equity and good eonscience,” however the court thought otherwise, whereupon louiiKci' submitted that, at least one of the tilings bought- a £7 \ clour coat trimmed with fur coII r and cuffs - should not be considered as a necessity of life. Tbe other articles included hose, a jumper, a nightdress, shoes, and so on. Again the decision ol' the bench went against the old man. and judgment was given for Aliss Retford, with court costs 90s against tho defendant.