MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 188, 30 July 1908, Page 4

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

A sitting of the Magistrate's Court Mas held yesterday morning, Air, Fifczherbort, JS.,\l., presiding. _ OF WAlißg. MeKee & Hay, sawmillers, were ehari"<?d under the Workmen's Wages Aet with having failed, in the absence of a written agreement, to pay their workmen# wages weekly, and under llnr Factories Aet in respect of the men ougaged in the sawmill. The meu commenced woi k on May 15th, and when the inspector visited the place 011 June 21th they had received 110 wages. {Subsequently money was paid them in cash, and some cheques 1 were given, (but these could not be cashed. The inspector (Mr. JI. Willis), through his counsel, asked the .Hen.-h not to inllict heavy penalties, as ihe defendant had pleaded guilty, and the object of the prosecution would be served in giving publicity to the important fact that employers must pay their wages regularly at the intervals provided by law. A line of 5s was inlliet.Hl in each of the four cases, counsel's fee £2 2s, and witnesses' expenses £2 14s

DRUNKKNNIiSS. A woman, a tirst-offender, on a charg of drunkenness, was convicted and dij charged, AMPLIATION. R. 11. Williams, a youth, who had a.

mitteil paternity ot' an illegitimate child, was ordered to pay 7s Oil a week towards ils maintenance. Counsel for the defendant pleaded that he was unable to pay the amount asked, as lie was only receiving a wage of 2")s a week and found. The Magistrate said that the wages were not large, certainly, but he thought the defendant could get more, for even laborers earned 85 a day. The girl and her child had to be considered. Defendant was ordered to pay counsel's fee of £2 2s and £7 14s'0d expenses incidental to the birth of the child. WIFE MAINTENANCE.

William Boland Davies was charged with failing to maintain his wife, Arabella Belinda Davies. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Mr. F. E. Wilsion appeared for the plaintiff, and stated that she had left her husband fourteen years ago, and up till lately had been able to support herself by needlework. But was now unable, owing to failing health, to earn sufficient, and was dependent upon a friend, with whom she was living. Plaintiff in evidence stated that she had a weak heart, and if she were to have much anxiety she would drop down dead. She had written to her husband offering to return to his home if he j would provide one for her. Defenda it ! did not ask any questions. William Boland Davies, the defendant, admitted the failure to provide maintenance. He stated that in 188U the complainant kept on leaving her home — a comfortable one —to live in New Plymouth at boarding-houses and other places. During that year he brought licr back eight times, but he could not get her to stay at home. Whilst away "she associated with people who were

not in our society, or amongst our friends, living with people who were beneath her and with whom she should not have mixed." In various proceedings , in the courts his wife had alleged 110 complaint against him. She was in re- I ceipt of £ls or £lB annually from her father'* estate. The Magistrate: You've heard her say tlint slio is n<»t able to work, and she is living practically on charity. To Mr. "Wilson: lie had never offered her ji home, and had made no recenti attempt- to ascertain how she was faring. Mr. Wilson: As far as you are concerned, von don't care what happens to her?

Respondent: Oh, 1 don't know about that. 1 have 110 home to offer lier. The Magistrate reminded respondent that he had a duty towards his wife, and he had to support her. Some men seemed to have an idea that they could ' marry a wife, and if she went away the husband had no responsibility to maintain her. As a matter of fact the people 'svit.il whom she lived could claim from the husband for the wife's maintenance. Jf she did not behave properly, the/a was the Divorce Court, and oven there the husband had to provide the menus .for the respondent's defence, and if a decree were granted there was the liability for alimony. This case was very clear. The wife was evidently a destitute person. The husband would be ordered to pay 10s a week towards her maintenance and the costs of these pro-

ceedings. The respondent asked if there was any appeal from this decision. The Magistrate declined to allow any appeal.