PEOPLE SAID SIMPKIN WAS SOFT

NZ Truth, Issue 1196, 1 November 1928, Page 11

PEOPLE SAID SIMPKIN WAS SOFT

Testimonials From Bishop—But What About Lay Reader's Vile Letters To Wife?

"" CANNOT HIDE YOUR SHAME: IT IS WELL KNOWN"

/ -.■•■■ (From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Auckland Representative.) HE LIVES IN KARAMEA and is "one of 'our esteemed fellow-townsmen." Not only that, but Sydney Robert Simpkin is a lay-reader who is the proud possessor of a certificate of authority, embossed with a seal as big as a plate, issued by no less an authority than the Bishop of Nelson himself . Simpkin also has a wife, but for all his lay-reading Sydney has not been able to read into his domestic life that happiness so pious a man would expect. But, of course, even a lay-reader and ardent churchman has his little weaknesses — and Simpkin is ho exception. But when he vented his spleen against his wife m some vile letters m which he repudiated the paternity of his six-years-old child, Audrey, he delivered the death-knock to any domestic bliss he might have enjoyed.

NOT only did he insult his wife over the child m the letters, but, if 1 Helen is to be believed, he had harped on the string of her alleged infidelity ever since the baby w,as six months old. She left him and last week took proceedings m Auckland for maintenance and guardianship orders. The magistrate made an order > m favor of the child, but none In the wife's favor. Helen Simpkin did not love the people of Karamea, the West Coast township, itself, with its population of 1200, or the goodly percentage of scan-dal-mongers who made her life so miserable that she "had to get out." The amazing allegation was made by counsel that Simpkin had actually discussed his wife's alleged infidelity with the gossips, but Sydney would not have this. He admitted he had been called "soft" for putting up with what "was going on" m his domestic affairs, which drew from Lawyer Matthews the indignant, retort: "And I think you are, tool Why did you not knock these people down — you, a great strapping chap as you are?" But Simpkin, whose voice was pitched m a high tremolo, piped back: "I could not knock women down, could I?" It was indeed a tangled tale that was told. Fourteen years ago Helen joined forces with -Sydney Robert m the bonds of matrimony and had presented him with three children, the youngest being Audrey, the real subject of the trouble between them. She lived with her husband up till January last, when she left him and came to Auckland with the child.

I Shameless Letters i ; - —

Since she had been m the Queen City he had sent her no money. She had left him because they could not agree. The -whole trouble, she complained, was due to his "talking to outsiders about me." ■ He had, said Helen, made allegations against her and had said he was not the father of Audrey.

"And he has been putting- this across since the child was six months old . . . and this talk affected my reputation m the district.

Lawyer Matthews: "In short, Mrs. Simpkin, it was made too hot for you?" — And Helen admitted that it was so.

Her husband, she declared, was a man of peculiar temperament; who was subject "to attacks of religious mania and said things he was sorry for afterwards. He has sworn and cursed at me."

There was absolutely no truth m his allegations concerning her morals. Lawyer Matthews then produced a number of letters m which Simpkin assailed her character. The writing of them was freely admitted by Simpkin, who expressed his regret and his complete disbelief m what he had written; One passage read out by counsel: "The likeness" (this with reference to the alleged father of the child) "can be seen by all with eyes to see."

Another passage: "Hide your shame, but you cannot do so; it is wellknown." Owing to the scandal that had been created, Helen stated emphatically, that she was not prepared to go back to Karamea, Lawyer Allan Moody, appearing- for . Simpkin, who had travelled all the way from the West Coast of the South , Island to see his wife and to defend the case, then put Helen through a i rigorous cross-examination. Counsel was at his best and wittiest, • infusing a little light relief into what might easily have degenerated into a If dreary tragi-comedy.

Religious Crank?

Lawyer Moody: You have been to Auckland before, have you not? — Yea.

How long did you stay? — Four months.

And then you returned home? — Yes, I did.

When would that be?— Somewhere about June or July last year.

And things went on all right until you came to Auckland m January? — We have quarrelled for years. '

Your husband is not a drinking man? —No.

In fact, he has no vices except religion; is that what you say?— Well, yes. And you suggest that he has no other vice but that?— He used bad language to me and used to get religious mania. <

. So you would not say he was a very sincere man? — No, I would not.

And that it would not be easy for him to hoodwink people? — No. People knowing him would not consider he was sincere? — Oh, yes, but they like to hear him talk.

Counsel then picked up some docu-

1 rnents. "Very well,- Mis. Simpkin, we \ will commence with the Bishop of XelBon himself." ■ Reading from a letter: "Now, the Bishop gives him an excellent tbsfimonial as to his character and integrity. And this (producing a layreader's'license with a seal as big as a plate) this is the lay-reader's license which was issued to. your husband by the Bishop. Do you suggest your husband is clever enough to have hoodwinked the Bishop?" Oh, no, Helen did not think anything of the kind. Lawyer Moody proceeded playfully and drew some candid admissions from Mrs. Simpkih about the amenities, social and topographical, of the township of Karamea. / "Now, Mrs. Simpkin," proceeded ,counsel, "Karamea is a horrible place, la it not, and because it is, shall we say, a 'one-eyed show,' you got sick of it and that is part', of the whole trouble?.' 1 — "No, it is because of the

trouble there has been between me and my husband.

Helen became somewhat reflective. "These things I said, would not be taken much notice of except m a oneeyed show like Karamea. Nobody has much time for my husband there, anyway."

Lawyer Moody produced further testimonials to the sterling qualities of Sydney Robert, written by leading fellow-townsmen of Karamea, and read extracts from them.

Counsel: When your husband, took proceedings against you to come back to him, you defended it? —Yes, I did. . . And you are prepared to withdraw the defence if your costs are paid. You don't want a divorce, now do you?" Helen hesitated for a< few moments and counsel repeat- -._ • 1 ed the question. "Yes," shp said at length, "I want a divorce if I can get something to do to t keep me." Lawyer Moody: I put it to you that, your husband must have some regard for you when he came and asked you:to go back to him. Did you attempt to ring- him up? — I did not know where he was. You are now working m an hotel? — Yes. What as? — A cook. "You are not m a fit state of health to work, are you?" . Helen became very touchy on the subject of her health and retorted with some heat: "What do you mean about my not being m a fit state of health?" Lawyer Matthews stepped into the breach m .defence of his client. "You are not suggesting anything else, are you?" he demanded of Lawyer Moody. On several occasions both counsel had crossed swords during the hearing of the case and Lawyer Moody put^in/ a good broadside. ■ }■'!■',■'■ "Oh, Mr. Matthews, do be quiet, please!" I know you are! very touc.hy;

about this business, but please wait until I have finished."

He then turned his attention back to Helen m the box. "Now, Mrs. Simpkin, you suffer from diabetes, don't you?"

But Helen did not know from what she suffered.

Lawyer Moody: Don't you think it would be better for you to go back to your husband at Karamea? You know your ■ husband" has been up against it all the time? — It is his own fault. He goes m for things he cannot afford. ' Is your husband what you would call a very strong character? — No. Lawyer Moody smiled and made a suggestion, with a subtle touch, of satire: "A bit of an old woman, eh?" The court grinned and Helen's reply was barely audible, but it sounded as though it was m the affirmative. Lawyer Moody kept firing his questions m rapid succession, but m spite of the gruelling cross - examination she stood up to the oi'deal well. Counsel: "When you left your home, did you not tell • your husband you were coming: to Auckland for a while and that you would be returning home to him? — No. '.Well, did he ask you?— Yes, he did not want me to come. I put it to you that you have some regard for your two boys who .are on the farm with their father? — Yes, I have. ' . ' ■ . ■ Are you prepared to sink what differences you have and go back foi* their sake?— -I know they won't want to stay there when they are old enough to go out. • But don't you . think !t would be better to have all three children together?— Yes. Why don't you go back and leave your husband to his lay-reading and his farming? The Bishop does not

She Rang Him Up

Sinking Differences

give testimonials like he gave your husband without good reason, does he? -—Oh, I could not go back after he has said the things he has about me.

Once more counsel raised the question of the testimonials to Simpkin as supplied by fellow-townsmen.

Lawyer Matthews had heard enough on this subject and protested. "These people don't really know anything about the actual facts," he remonstrated. •

Helen chipped m. "I could get plenty of testimonials myself down m Karamea."

Quick as a flash, Lawyer Moody took advantage of the point. "I know you could, Mrs. Simpkin," he declared, "and so does your husband, for he told me so. He makes no allegations against you." This was more than Helen could swallow. "What about those letters he wrote?" she. parried. "Yes, because he was a fool," replied counsel soothingly. Lawyer Moody : You know your husband is a member of the Medical Association m Karamea and can get you treatment for any illhealth you may have?" ! Helen gave a sniff of disdain. "Yes, by a quack doctor ! " • Counsel: "Now, now, you must not make statements like that! I understand that you were treated by a doctor of very excellent standing m his profession." But Helen was not enthusiastic about it at all. Lawyer Moody sat down and Helen left the box. The case against Sydney Robert was closed.

Counsel then* addressed the bench on behalf of Simpkin. He submitted that the only issue before the court was one of maintenance and guardianShip; ;;■• .;■••■;■■ •■ ■

The wife had not received any money, it was true, since she left home, but ■the husband acted on the advice of a* solicitor; '"''■.■=:- A- ■■:'• t ; : "•■■ '' . ■ .■'■-"'.' - -

It would certainly have been far

better had he been advised to send her money m the meantime. $ "This is a man of standing m Karamea. He is a member of the Church of England, a lay-reader and an officer m a lodge. "Not that this makes any difference, but it shows that he enjoys the respect and esteem of a lot of people m the town." Counsel was proceeding to discuss the population and .other statistical facts about 'Karamea when Helen chipped m. ".you go and live there, Mr. Moody aha see!""

Lawyer jMob'd'y laughed. "Mrs. Simpkin,". he- assiired her, "I have no desire whatever to live there — and I have no desire\ to see the place. It seems to me that you have a fixed idea m your head that it is a oneeyed place. "Now, this man undoubtedly wrote those letters, and I frankly admit that they are the letters of . a man who deserves to be told what the court thinks of him. "Then he makes these ridiculous allegations against his wife. He tells me he does not believe 'the allegations and that he made them m anger.

"I venture to suggest that m the interests of the parties concerned, the children and the community, it is not right that this state of affairs should be allowed to continue.

'J.he husband is prepared to do anything- he can. He has come to Auckland all the way from the West Coast of the South Island at considerable expense, but his wife never got m touch with him when he arrived.

"They both want a, quiet talking- to . . . and I feel confident that if Mrs. Simpldn is prepared to sink her differences something: might be done.

"He took proceedings for restitution, but has withdrawn those proceedings.

His material offence, if any, is that he has failed to maintain his wife and child, but I venture to say . yiat the court will not go to the length of crucifying this man for his indiscretions

. . . I don't think the wife's application is a sincere one."

Simpkin then entered the box. He spoke m a thin voice and showed a tendency to recite his piece after the manner of a lay -reading.

Questioned about his lay-readership, he said he had never looked for it himself. lie did not drink — and as for racing ...

"Well, I never get a chance to go to race meetings" he told the court.

He had struck a good deal of trouble on his farm, financially and otherwise, but he gave his wife a great testimonial as a worker.

"My wife worked very hard on the farm; m fact, she is the most efficient Ayoman I know."

Lawyer Matthews - did not spare Sydney Robert when he rose to crossexamine him.

Counsel: Mr. Moody has referred to your wife's insincerity? Do you consider she is sincere? — Well, I don't think she is prepared to make allowances.

How is she insincere? When did

you first make up your mind to ;stop the proceedings for restitution? — When 1 received the answer.

Oh, so as soon as your wife showed fight, you dropped it? — Yes.

jNow, all these months you have let your wife think that Supreme Court matters were pending when there was! .nothing of the kind?— Well, it was only m September.

Even so, a month has gone by with-

Fell On His Neck

out notifying her. Is that evidence of your sincerity? — I told my solicitor that I. was withdrawing my application for restitution of conjugal rights.

. You tell the court, do you, that you have come up here to patch up things between you and your wife? — Yes.

When was your last trip up to Auckland? — In March last.

You tell the court that your only reason for coming, up here was to see your wife? — Yes. ' ' v

There is no other reason? It seems to coincide remarkably with the summons issued against you by your wife for this case, and suggests . that you came up here to defend the.'tiction. Did you come up here to defend the case? — Well, yes.

Why did you not tell us that long ago? — No answer. \> .

I put it to you that you have riot maintained Audrey because you consider she is not your child?— No, not at all. - .

'He admitted that people m Karamea had told him he was "soft" for putting up with what was going on.

Lawyer Matthews: "Oh, no you actually discussed your wife with outsiders aiid they called you, soft? I think you are, too, if you can swallow that sort of thing! And you, a bigstrapping fellow, not to knock them down!" .

"I could not knock women down, could I?" piped Sydney Robert in' mild protest.

Questioned as to when lie. had first made the allegations against his wife, he replied that it was after she left Itarameat

You discussed this matter with your wife, did you not, before she

left? — Yea, irva' friendly way.

Counsel (scornfully): "And undoubtedly she fell on your neck and fawned on you!" "

Are you willing to maintain Audrey? — Yes, m my own home.

So you want to strip your wife of this child also?— No.

And you want your wife back?—

No-More Scandals

Yes, I do; everybody is prepared to be very kind to her m Karamea.

What, after people have called you soft! Why did they call you soft?— Because I was putting up with things.

Do you say that this' child is not yours? — No, I do not.

Don't you think you have greatly wronged this child of yours? — No, I don't think I have.

"But you have called it an illegitimate child," boomed counsel.

Simpkin expressed regret for the letters he had written m disparagement of his wife and admitted he was very indiscreet m writing them. -

He was prepared to make amends to her and would never bring the matter up again. ,

People would be kind to her, if. only for 'his sake. His wife had been a good wife- and mother. The magistrate commented on the difficulties of the case, and, after reviewing both sides of the story, said the only order he intended to make was one m favor of the child for £1 per week. There was no order made to determine custody and no maintenance fixed for Mrs. Simpkin.

The law has said its say. The future rests with the Simpkins. It is for them to argue it out and seek their own solution of their domestic problem.

In any case, Karamea has had an airing and the case should keep the local gossips busy for some time to come.