MAINTENANCE CASE.

Shannon News, 4 May 1923, Page 3

MAINTENANCE CASE.

WIFE’S APPEAL FROM ENGLAND

An unusual case occupied the attention Of Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court, Palmerston, on Monday, when an application for confirmation of a maintenance order was made (on affidavit by Alice Hinchcliffe, resident in Tinthistle, England, against her husband Smith Hinchcliffe, flaxcutter, of Shannon. Applicant’s evidence was to the effect that her husband left England for New Zealand in 1910 in order to make a home for her, but although he promised to send for her he had not done so, and during the whole of the term subsequent to his departure all she had received in maintenance was £3. She denied allegations of misconduct contained in letters from her husband and stated that she had had to obtain employment as a, weaver. She was in failing health, which was the reason why she sought the order. The affidavit, having been read over to the respondent he volunteered to give evidence, in which he stated that his only defence for his failure to maintain his wife was lack of means. He had been engaged' in flaxcutting 1 • contract and latterly times had been very bad and he had not earned much. The magistrate said that he w,as satisfied the respondent could pay something and the order would be confirmed for the payment of £1 per week.