A MOTHER IN ISRAEL

NZ Truth, Issue 69, 13 October 1906, Page 4

A MOTHER IN ISRAEL

Takes to Booze After Giving Fourteen Hostages to Fortune.

A well preserved, fashionably togged woman named Elizabeth Reid ap-. peared at the Ohristchurch Police Court t'other day and denied that there was any necessity for the issue of a prohibition order against her. The applicant was her husband, Samuel Reid, for whom Lawyer Leatham. appeared. Reid is a farmer at Fendalton, and according to him his wife drinks like the devil. The; lady hasn't been backward m the matter of adding to the population, as there is a family of. fourteen. But she has developed a. penchant for clearing away from honie. , now . and again and having a good spree. On the present occasion she had been absent ' since Grand National time. Elizabeth left one morning saying that, she would be back at four, but the' kitchen clock has struck a good many fours since then and the premises have seen her not. The children were being; looked after ■by a daughter of 15, the eldest daughter, I aged 23 having gone to service after ma left. It appears that the woman pledged her husband's credit', in 'town to the extent of nearly £18, and did m the cash m a regal way. She had represented that she had some claim on the place, and thus obtained, advances. It transpired . that an order had been taken out against her once before, and on. another occasion the application was withdrawn. Counsel stated that elegant Eliza had been discovered living m a disreputable, street off the East Belt, and m order to stop her spree the present application was made. The defendant" gave evidence on her own behalf. She said she had been accustomed to coming to town once a week, sometimes once a- fort-night. It was true that she hadn't bean home since the .Grand National, but considered that as the mother of 14- children she deserved a rest.' It was true that, she had secured advances of money m town but she didn't buy drink with it. "Who are you living with?" asked counsel . . "A friend of mine? ' ' "Mrs Jan^t?" "Yes." And isn't there a man. named Patterson living m the house;?". "No.". An inteiuption came from the body of the court, a woman, presumably defendant's friend , saying that Patterson had been taken to the hospital. She was peremptorily ordered to shut up. Mrs Reid denied having been drunk since she arrived m town. "And what harm is there m a prohibition order being issued against you ?" asked Leatham. "Not the slightest" was ths candid reply, "I can, get it still." And no dou-b't, site will. The order was issued. The lady didn't j go home with her spouse that day, j and next morning Reid advertised j that he wouldn't be responsible for any debts contracted by his drinky missus. ' ' :