MAINTENANCE CASE

Hokitika Guardian, 11 March 1930, Page 5

MAINTENANCE CASE

HEARING RESUMED,

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, March 11

The hearing of the Stead maintenance case was resumed at the Supreme Court this morning. Mr Mowbray, counsel for Stead, asked permission to further examine his client in consequence of evidence given relative to Stead’s living with a woman at Takapuna.

Asked what unhappy grievances he had against his wife prior to the separation witness said he had been away from home a great deal, attending race meetings in connection with his livelihood, and frequently when he arrived home he found his wife insensibly drunk. The first occasion was in 1914. He had engaged the services of a. medicl man to break her off the habit.

• Mr A. B. Johnstone objected to this evidence on the ground that the wife was absent and it was impossible to challenge such statements. Stead could not put himself forward as the person without blame, and the circumstances of his life were such that his wife was excused from keeping him. His Honor: ‘‘lf she is the same < lass of woman as she says he is of a man, is there any reason why she should refuse to maintain him because ne is living with another woman?”

Mr Johnston: “That would make no diffeience. No wife should be forced to maintain an able-bodied man carrying on business and keeping an establishment in which another woman is involved.”

Witness, continuing his evidence,_ said that drinking on the part of his wife continued until the separation, although she had given frequent promises it would never occur again. Differences also existed between them on financial grounds. At the time of\ separation there were outstanding accounts, 1 some of which were over one hundred pounds, and witness had to sell his Cambridge property to meet his liabilities.

“I was drowning my sorrows,” continued Stead when asked what state he was in on meeting a woman he was living with at Takapuna. He confided his sorrows to her and she had influenced him to give dp drink altogether. Deferring to his .occupation as a farmer and racing owner, Stead said he had won most important turf events in the Dominion and won £43,000 in eight years. In a cross-examination Stead said he would nianrv the girl after bringing divorce ‘ proceedings as he would no longer be blackmailed then. Counsel: “\ou make some vile aspersions against your wife.” Stead: “You drove me to it.” Judgment was reserved.