LABOURITE’S DOMESTIC AND FINANCIAL TROUBLES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2736, 22 May 1924, Page 3

LABOURITE’S DOMESTIC AND FINANCIAL TROUBLES.

Gisborne, Yesterday. An unusual ease came up in the Magistrate’s Court to-day concerning Francis P. Brady, who was the Labour candidate for Rangitikei at election in 1922. The Rangitikei Motors Ltd. sought r-.i recover on a judgment summons the sum of £SB 19/6 from Brady. In evidence Brndv said in 1922 he was a hotelkeeper in the Rangitikei district where he incurred the debt sued for. In December of that year !o* discovered (he alleged) tthat his wife had been unfaithful to him and

M r giving her power of attorney ( ,v( r bis money and land titles left for Australia. At that time be was ni-rth between £5,000 and £6.000. Since then his brother died and he returned to New Zealand and engaged <m a salary and commission basis earning £6 per week. Though separated from his wife he voluntarily contributed £3 per week (ownrds the maintenance of the children in Wellington which left him only £3’for himself. He had debts aggregating £l5O which he was endeavouring to pay off. He did not know judgment had been obtained against him until he returned lo the Dominion.

Some unusual facts were revealed in cross-examination. Defendant said when lie found his wife was unfaithful he decided to leave her and gave her power of attorney over the money and lands on condition that she paid all his debts. She went to the bank and had these transferred to her own name. There were other amounts owing to him which he had been unable to collect. For instance, his brother (since killed) owed him £IOOO hut this had been wiped off when he returned from Australia.- His wife summon- < d him on maintenance and guardianship orders in Wellington, but when the Magistrate heard the facts and that his wife had the £5,000 lie declined to make an order. Subsequently defendant consented io allow his wife to have, the children and contribute £3 weekly towards their keep.

In answer to a question defendant said his wife still had the money. That was why the Magistrate a! Wellington refused the maintenance order. Defendant said the money originally belonged to his wife, who received it from the estate of her father, a wealthy sheepfarmer down Wanganui way. The £5,000 had been accumulated by defndant as the result of the hotel business and speculation. It was money he made with her money. In reply to a question defendant said he paid the Government no gift duty. Counsel contended it was therefore not a gift. The case was adjourned sine die. .[During the general election Mr F. P. Brady, billed as the “Irish Orator,” addressed a meeting in the local Town Hall in support of the candidature of the local Labour nominee.]