Pledging a Husband's Credit.

Manawatu Herald, 2 September 1897, Page 2

Pledging a Husband's Cred it.

» The question whether a wife can pledge her husband's credit by borrowing money to pay for necessaries without his authority arose before the Chief Justice at Melbourne on the hearing of an order to review ,he decision of the Justices at Williamatownona complaint brought by Charlotte Moon again 9 1 Biohard Worlond for £4, balance of money lent. The Justices mada an order in favor of the complainant for the sum claimed and oosts. It appeared that the money was lent to the defendant's wife, who had borrowed it from the complainant without any authority from her husband, and unknown to him. On the hearing before the Justices the defendant's wife was put into the box as a witness for the complainant, and she stated the above facts, and that the money was used by her in paying for necessaries. It was sought to review the Justices' decision, on the ground that by the evidence ad- - duoed in support of the claim it appeared that the defendant was not liable for the loan. The Chief Justice held that the -law was quite dear that a wife had no implied authority to borrow money for which her husband oould be made liable, even though the money was expended in purchasing necessaries suitable for the wife. While it was permissible for the wife to buy necessary goods on her husband's credit without his authority, yet this did not extend to permit her to borrow money for that purpose. The law was clearly against the Magistrates 1 decision, but the merits appeared to be entirely with the complainant, and therefore the order would be absolute, but without oosts.