RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5706, 14 July 1879, Page 3

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Saturday, July 12. (Before T. A. Mansford, Esq., E.M,)

CONJUGAL INFELICITY.

Harriet Reeves was charged with threatening to chop open her husband’s head “ like a sheep’s head.” ■ ' Benjamin Reeves, the complainant, deposed to the facts of the case. He had employed a man to paper two of the rooms of. his house, but his wife in a fit of temper had gone into the room, and tried to tear the paper down. She then spat several times in his face, and not satisfied with that threatened to chop his head open like a sheep’s. • The defendant here in a very violent manner commenced to excuse herself for her conduct. She said she had, been subjected to such constant thrashings from her husband that she had determined to'retaliate, and every time he thrashed her to return the compliment. She had supfiorted her husband for years when he was not able to work, and now he turned round and beat and abused her. She had had a large family, and her. husband ought to be ashamed of himself. .

The Magistrate said he had seen quite enough o£ her conduct on l that occasion to assure him that she ought to be restrained, and he should consequently bind her over to keep the peace for three months in two sureties of £lO each.

>. Defendant said she would sooner go to gaol, and was accordingly f removed to that establishment, • ■,neoleotino to sdfpokt. ■ ■ Clarence Muir was charged with neglecting to obey an order of the Court that he should contribute 20s. a week towards his wife’s support. Defendant said he had neglected to pay the amount as ordered in consequence of some nrisspprehenaion. ■ ;

The K.M. would not listen to any such excuses. w The fact was defendant was living with another woman right , opposite to his own wife’s door.' Such conduct was simply intolerable. He must find one surety in £2O to comply with the order of the Court, or in default would be sent to the common gaol for six months. Muir was then removed, and the Court adjourned.