HE WENT AWAY

NZ Truth, Issue 1151, 22 December 1927, Page 5

HE WENT AWAY

• — r But Found No Grist For Mills (From "N.Z. Truth's" Wanganui Rep.) Charles Thornton Mills, of Wellington, might not be so hasty next time — if there ever is a next time. Magistrate J. S. Barton and Senior Sergeant Lopdell at Wanganui the other day made that clear. MILLS deserted his wife and four children at Wellington about Six weeks ago and came to Wanganui with a lady assistant to help him on a canvassing mission. Before leaving, however,, he had told his wife that he was going into the country to look for work. Not hearing . from him, the wife issued a warrant and he was taken back to Wellington, , where she consented to withdraw the information. He told her then that ho nad a house" for her at Wanganui, that he had a good job and m a few days he would send for her. Back he came to the river city, but also brought the lady canvasser with !him. When Mb wife and two of the youngest children arrived m due course, he took them along to a boarding-house, where incidentally, he never paid any board. About a fortnight ago he moved again without saying a word to his wife, so naturally she informed the police and the noble Charles Thornton | was duly gathered m. He tried very hard m a plausible manner to put the bluff over the senior sergeant and magistrate, but failed miserably. After a couple of. days' remand, they produced the uncle of the lady canvasser from Tawa Flat. He stated that she was a married woman with three children who was living apart from her husband, and earning her own living. Recently Mills was brought by the lady to his home where he stayed for several days. Ha had stated that he was single and that as soon as the lady canvasser could obtain a divorce he would be willing to marry her. ' He also posed as a. man wHh property which he intended to realize on and buy a business, and on the strength of this, he borrowed small sums of money from the family. The uncle also hud reason to believe that he had borrowed money from the lady canvasser. When it came to question time, Mills remarked that he had not poh-ed as a single man. to which the magistrate replied that even if he made that statement on oath he would riot believe him. The senior sergeant and Probation Officer Ching held out little hope of Mills attempting to earn enough to keep his wife and family, who were at the time being supported by the Charitable Aid Board. The magistrate agreed and sent him along- for six months, remarking- that for three months at least the wife would be sure of part of his earnings m gaol. A separation order was also granted the wife with maintenance at the rate of £3 ss. per week for herself and children. Mills, with a tone of remorse, turned to his wife m the box and remarked: "You know. Zillah, if I. had anything you would have got it." The magistrate naked the wife if she knew that he had received sums of money from the lady canvasser's uncle and aunt, to which she gave a negative reply.