A TRENTHAM INSTRUCTOR.

Taihape Daily Times, 12 May 1919, Page 2

A TRENTHAM INSTRUCTOR.

IMPRISONMENT THREATENED. j THE FAaMILY OR THE FARM. ! A. singular story was told to Mr. J. I'K. Wilson, S_M.. or the Auckland Police Court on Tuesday, when Arthur j Ohadwick Jameson, well-known as a I drill instructor in Trcntliaiu. was sunimono'd for failure to comply with an [order to maintain his wife and child. Replying to Mr. J. C. Conlan, who appeared for the plaintiff. Jameson said he could not pay because he was not working. He was formerly an instructor a; Trenthani Cam.]), but was transferred to Hamilton. He resigned from the position because, owing to tho fact, that the Defence Department had kept him at various camps during the war. he considered there was no

chance of advancement and as he >.vas entitled to the benefits of the Discharged Soldiers' Act, he thoughtlie thought he would go in for a farm He earned £275. on the instructional staff, and had about £7O when he left. This had t/acn reduced to £7 in his search for a farm under the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Ac!. He denied that he threatened his wife that if she took proceedings for maintenance he would throw up his job.

Mr. Conlan: Did yon write and toll her there would be a surprise packer waiting for her if she tool* proceedings?—l may have done so. Is it not a fact that you have made or tried to make, the position difficult for her by resigning-? That was not my object. Defendant further denied that he had been keeping company with another young woman, and, asked why he did not pay over £7 he had in his possesion lor the maintenance of his wife and child, replied that he needed it for himself.

Mr. Wilson: So the position is that you did not care what became of your wife and child, because you wanted the money yourself.

The Magistrate made an order for a months' imprisonment, subject to a week's suspension to enable defendant to pay.