TRAINER DIVORCES WIFE
(From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Christchurch Representative.)
IITHEN Mary Mel lwraith Mason, wife of Percy -Vallance^ Mason, the VV well-known horse trainer, moved in the Christchurch Divorce Court last week for permanent maintenance in a divorce action; it was mentioned that Mrs. Mason had attended 15 race meetings in two, years The matrimonial troubles of the Masons came to a termination when Judge Adams granted a decree absolute and custody of the boy to the husband, the wife to have reasonable access. ■ t - But when it came to the vexed question of permanent maintenance, there was some legal argument and difference of opinion. It was stated by counsel that Mason's income was £600, while the wife's income, derived from her father's estate, averaged ..£97/9/- a. year. ; At least, that was what it had averaged during the past six years. ' . .. , ' .■„,"■ The deed of seperation provided for payment to' the- wife. of »Z per week during their joint lives, but to cease on her death. All the husband's estate was in shares valued at £2140, from which he derived at present an income of about £200 pep year, ■ • ■ j^- "• His wages as a horse trainer were about £400 a year; in addition, he was 'stated to have £50 in the Savngs Bank and £330 in the Union The wife had to pay £2/10/- weekjy for suitable board.' Maspn^had no furniture, but possessed a car which Was fourteen yeat-s old. This item in his assets called forth some humorous references. ■ ; His honor remarked that , this car could hardly be regarded as. a floating asset, although, it might be called a. rolling one. ; '•. • Lawyer White (for Mrs. Mason): "But on a' fourteen-year-old car, one is inclined to speculate." . , • . Words of wisdom fell from the bench. "I think I should eay let that rest in peace," remarked Judge Adams sagely. Lawyer White stated that Mason had never provided a separate home. This was, to some exent, responsible for the trouble that had arisen.. Since the separaton he had lived at the home of his parents. The wife asked that permanent maintenance shoul.d, be £2/40(---weekly, in addition to the £2 payable under the deed of -separation; This, Lawyer White contended, was a reasonable thing, although it did not provide for railway fares during holidays, Mrs. Mason was a member of the Women's Club. u» .^'U":V.' Lawyer Hunter, who appeared for tho husband, chipped in.. .-Nothing allowed for racing," he remarkedi .•'■■' ";••„• , Lawyer White: "I don't like that suggestion. A suggestion has been made that Mrs. Mason is gambling at the Women's Club." . His honor said there were no grounds for the suggestion or that such a thing as gambling took place at the Women's Club. Lawyer Hunter hastened to agree with the bench. "Oh, no, sir." Lawyer White explained that Mason was associated With racing and that complimentary tickets were given to Mrs. Mason by friends. "The suggestion of gambling,". said c6unsel, "is absurd. She takes. part in the ordinary work of the Women's Club and is a thoroughly respectable woman." . . ' ■■/■ Lawyer Hunter emphasized that Mason was' not a gambling man, but a saving man who -Had accumulated £2000 and had invested it in well-chosen shares. As for the wife, she had £4 weekly without doing a stroke of work. ■ ; ■ ■' - ! * After further argument his honor reserved judgment.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTR19280614.2.37
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NZ Truth, Issue 1176, 14 June 1928, Page 7
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552TRAINER DIVORCES WIFE NZ Truth, Issue 1176, 14 June 1928, Page 7
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