A SAVAGE SPOUSE.

NZ Truth, Issue 137, 1 February 1908, Page 6

A SAVAGE SPOUSE.

Hooligan Hawthorne. : iA' pale-faced, consumptive-looking woman, attired m a costume of simple black, and , explaining that she was Ellen Hawthorne, iwade some severe allegations against her drunk- j en, loafing husband, Jam.cs Hawthorne, at Christchurch the . other j day. Latter is a sturdy young nsan who can wear good clothes. The pair used to live at Taranaki-street, Wellington, and it was an unhappy mar-riage-in every way. They have only been 'hitched up eleven months, and i eight months, after marriage they parted. As "the bright beauty hadn't contributed to the woman's support since, she proceeded- against him. for •maintenance on various grounds, including persistent cruelty, and she ■desired an order under the Summary. Separation Act. Lawyer Leatham conducted the woman's case, and from her evidence it transpired that she was a widow with one child when she married the consummate rascal hooligan Hawthorne who made the usual sacred promises at the altar. The unfortunate occurrence took place on February 21 of last year. They' lived m Wellington, until the end of the year! Counsel : What sort of treatment did he accord- you ?— .Well, the whole time I lived with him he didn't treat me as he should. Has he assaulted you ?— Yes, on one occasion he caught me by the throat and clutched me until I vomited blood. • When did he leave you ?-— \At the end of November last when I came to Christchurch ; we haven't ; lived together since. Since then he has only sent me ten shillings^ but had the audacity one day when we met m the street TO GET ; A POUND FROM lEmoney I had m the Post Office. Has he ever threatened you ?— Yes, later on m Christchurch when he said he would shoot me and shoot himself afterwards. ' He remarked that he would have me sooner or later. . . ■ . , ■'■„■,• The .witness went on. to say what her general appearance indicated— that she was m poor health, and had been under Dr. Hogg in Wellington, She was paying 8s a 'week for the support of her child. ! Defendant, cross-examining : 'Didn't I promise you a home m Ashtmrton, and said that if you came down we would set up together again ?— SYes, but who was going to keep the home going ? Bessie Armitage, sister of Mrs Hawthorne, corroborated her , about the rascal's murderous attack m Ta-ranaki-street, Wellington, and also about the threats of shtooting in* Christchurch. The scampy she said, had* no home, and merely, rented a room. The defendant had really no defence bar . saying that his wife had refused' the home he.prbmised to make for her., In reply to •Mr Leatham the fellow- said he didn't drink to any extent. "Where is there a man who doesn't get drunk now and again ?•" he bleated, as he was ordered to stand down. _ Bishop, S.M., madte an order that the woman was no ionger bound to cohabit with the bute, who is making 8s a day on a ■building contract at Linwood, and ordered him to pay a quid a week towards'^her support and the costs of the present proceedings. These elev-en-months'-old husi bands are the real wasters of the compiunity.