WIFE WONT RETURN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 688, 13 June 1929, Page 11

WIFE WONT RETURN

HUSBAND’S PETITION OPPOSED SUDDEN ILLNESS IN COURT “I won’t sit down; I’ll stand up and face it.’’ This was the feature of a dramatic interruption of the hearing of a petition for restitution of conjugal rights before Mr. Justice Kennedy in the Supreme Court today. T TVHE petitioner, Donald Green, became suddenly ill under the strain of cross-examination. Even when cross-examining counsel, Mr. Northcroft, invited Green to be seated, he persisted in standing, saying: “Go ahead.” Finally the court had to adjourn for a few minutes while the petitioner regained liis composure. Green sought an order against his wife, Eva Mary Green, who strongly opposed the petition. She Avas represented by Mr. Northcroft, Mr. Inder appearing for petitioner. Married at Takapuna on September 19, 1907, Donald Green stated that he and his Avife subsequently lived at Foxton, Levin and Hauraki Plains. A stroke in February last year left him paralysed in three fingers of his right hand and round his mouth. He had a second attack in April, Avhen one doctor gave him ten days to live. His wife Avent for six Aveek’s holiday to Hawke’s Bay at Easter and, on her return, Avas very cool toward him. On coming to Auckland for medical treatment he met his wife. He saw her several times and urged her to come back home, even as late as that morning. He could not understand his Avife’s attitude. Under cross-examination by Mr. Northcroft he admitted that his wife had been dutiful. His life had been one of financial misfortune and he had been insolvent once. He denied that in 1920 he had assigned his estate for the benefit of his creditors and that he was in financial difficulties. He was bankrupt in 1925. Later he became a hemp-grader at Auckland. “My wife was lazy at times and did not make beds for weeks,” he added. She was cooking for 14 to 16 men in the flaxmill. Mr. Northcroft: Did you not do a good deal of betting with bookmakers? —No. His wife never accused him of being interested 4n another woman nor charged him with unfaithfulness. He refuted her suggestion that he admitted unfaithfulness to her. Mr. Northcroft: Theer must be some reason for your wife leaving. If you had told her you enjoyed yourself with other women would that justify her action? —I don’t know anything about that. (Proceeding.)