HUSBAND WORSTED.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 126, 27 April 1940, Page 11

HUSBAND WORSTED.

ALLEGATIONS IN COURT. per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, April 2(5. “There is a very officious body called the Society for the Protection of Women and Children. Apparently there should ho also a society for the protection of husbands and other children,” commented Mr Justice Northcroft in the Supreme Court today, when counsel in a divorce case declared that a husband had been knocked about by bis physically stronger wife. “Unfortunately no such organisation exists,” replied counsel. On the grounds of a verbal agreement to separate in June, 1936, Leonard William Austin petitioned for a divorce from Elsa May Austin. The petition was opposed by respondent, who alleged desertion by her husband. “Respondent was a very strong woman.” said counsel, “and used to boast that she was a female George Walker. She was quite capable of worsting him in a physical contest. She used deliberately to damage the house and furniture in fits of ungovernable temper.” In June, 1936, when he was suffering from blood-poisoning petitioner and his wife had a quarrel which ended in Mrs Austin’s worsting him in a struggle. After that he left the house. After hearing evidence bv both parties on conditions and incidents in the home while they were living together, His Honour granted a decree nisi to be made absolute in three months. His Honour said that, if petitioner lrad over-stated the facts surrounding the separation, respondent had grossly under-stated the facts, and he was disposed to disbelieve the respondent. She had given no rational reason for the parting. His Honour said he was satisfied that some agreement to 'separate was reached and that the wife subsequently treated tbo position as though there Imd been an agreement to separate. “I am not prepared to believe that she wanted her husband back,” said llis Honour.