An Expensive Wife Deserter.

Manawatu Herald, 12 May 1904, Page 3

An Expensive Wife Deserter.

Vi THREE MONTHS’ HARD. Over four years ago a man named Richard Came deserted his wife and family of young children, leaving them destitute in Palmerston. Since then the police and Charitable Aid Board have exhausted all the means in their power with a view to apprehending the wanderer, but all efforts were fruitless. A few days ago, however, Came turned up again in Palmerston, and his way homewards as casually as though he had boon away only a week. The police promptly snapped him, and the fellow was on Tuesday charged with deserting his wife and family. He pleaded guilty and had no excuse to offer. Mr F. Aiaher, Charitable Aid officer, said the board had spent no less than £147 in maintaining the wife and family of accused during his absence. “ Have you got anything to say for yourself ?” asked Mr Thomson, S.M. “ No, I don’t know as I can say anythink.” “ All the time you were away you never made any inquiries about your wife and family, or sent them any money ?” “ No,” replied the prisoner, apathetically. “ Did you bring any money back with you ?” pursuedthe Magistrate, “ Kb.” “ So all you’ve had you have spent on yourself. This is a case that ought to be made an example of,” continued Mr Thompson. “It is getting too common for men to leave their families, trusting to somebody else to look after them. They know the public won’t let them starve, and so they just clear out and leave them. You will be sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour, and when you come out it will be your duty to provide for your wife and family. In the meantime there will be no order as to maintenance.” Mr Thomson remarked that the wife of accused had endeavoured to Stay the proceedings. Under the circumstances, however, he could not allow that. —M. Times.