His Razor Threat

NZ Truth, Issue 1195, 25 October 1928, Page 9

His Razor Threat

Counsel: Are you afraid of him when he is under the influence of liquor?— Yes. He has threatened to cut my throat. He has taken out a raior and has also threatened to commit suicide.

In support of the wife's allegation of attempted suicide on the part of her husband, counsel produced a letter written by defendant, which he handed to the bench.

It read: "Dear mother and father, respect me for what I have done. I have held my head up all my life, worked hard and done my utmost for all, but it has been m vain.

"I tried to settle this with my wife, but it was no use, so I could not stand the punishment that is put on me. Goodbye, mother and father" (a long line of crosses).

"Dear wife,— You know why I have done this. Speak the truth and hold your head up. It may suit you and it may not. At the same time, you have done wrong — that is why I have not got on with you. If I had money, this would not have happened; therefore, I was hopeless without it- .. . . Goodbye, Father." The letter concluded with further "goodbyes" and crosses. And there the melodramatic episode ended — without the disappearance of Charles. His wife followed this up. by stating that her husband had made allegations of immorality against her, suggesting that she went out with other men.

- "He told me that I had been with four men and a Chinaman," she said.

"He has refused to give the landlady, the rent," she continued, "and if it hadn't been for the assistance I received from my children, I would not have been able to live."

Counsel: Why did you commence working again?— No one else was working and he would not give me any money.

Lawyer Matthews (who appeared for defendant) : Since your husband has been back to work, he has been giving you money?— Oh, no.

Why should yeu be terrified of him ? — Because when he comes home m drink he is going to do this and that.

He has neyer ; hurt, you m twenty-five years, has he? — Yes, he broke my nose m Hamilton.'

Counsel: "Oh, .that is Interesting! That letter he wrote does not seem to suggest .anything other than that he was unhappy."

Lawyer Dickson: "Or else he was under the influence of liquor!"

At this stage defendant interrupted, saying: "No, I' wouldn't do' such a thing." .-

S.M. (sharply): "Be quiet! Wait till you get m the box."

Fussell opened his mouth to say more, but obeyed the instructions from the bench. .Lawyer Matthews continued his cross-examination of complainant.

"Counsel: Have ypu ever thrown dishes at him?— No.

Have you ever deceived him ? — No,

Haven't you ever gone out with the children to the pictures, and then left them to go somewhere else, without

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