DOMESTIC INFELICITY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 149, 3 October 1910, Page 6

DOMESTIC INFELICITY.

HUSBAND THREATENS TO MURDER ! HIS WIFE. | MARRIED ONLY ELEVEN DAYS. Wellington, Saturday. "The unusual features in the evidence in this case will disclose hostilities not usually dealt with in this court," said Mr. P. Jackson, counsel for the complainant, in the case in which Eva Walkins charged her husband, William Watkins, with assaulting her on Thursday last. The case was heard before Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday. TAKES UP A KNIFE. "Watkins is twenty-five years and his wife tweaty-two years of age," continued counsel. "They were only married on September 9, eleven days ago to-day, and for a week they lived happily enough. On Tuesday last Watkins alleged misconduct against his wife; ana threatened to cut her throat. He seized a. knife, sharpened it on a poker, ana said he was going to cut her head right off. A moment later he rushed at her, and tried to cut her throat. On the next day he threatened to tear her windpipe out and cut her head off. Frightened almost out of her wits by his teri ribie threats, Mrs. Watkins ran home to her people. Watkins followed .her there, and threatened 1:0; only to cut her throat, but his o\ ;i as well. He took up a knife and tr.ed 'to cut his throat, but somehow was not successful,, for he only cut his thumb." Counsel asked the court, in case a fine only was imposed, to fix securities for accused's conduct in future, for his wife could not feel safe if there was no sort of restriction upon him. So violent did he act on Wednesday night that the police had to be called in. and Watkins was lockett up. ACCUSED ALMOST COLLAPSES. Watkins, who is a bill-poster by occupation, looked, as he stood in the dock, as though he had just recovered from a very severe illness. His face I was drawn as if he was suffering physical pain, and at one time he was <xu J the verge of collapsing. A constable procured him a fglass of water, and after drinking it he revived somewhat. His left eye was badly bruised and discolored, and his appearance generally was that of a man who had just j emerged from a train smash rather than | one actuated by homicidal motives. His haggard, dishevelled appearance was explained by his wife, who statea that Watkins had spent the greater part of £2O odd in brandy, and his black eye was accounted for by his mother-in-law, who Stated in her evidence that, owing to Watkins acting in an objectionable manner towards herself, she was obliged by way of chastisement to administer corporal punishment. Watkins was not represented by counsel, and when the case was partly heard he asked for bail for a week, which request iwas refused by the magistrate. WltfE GIVES EVIDENCE. Eva Watkins, ,wife of accused, and complainant in the case, bore out the statements made by counsel in his opening' remarks. She denied that she had misconducted herself -. or had in any way done anything that would justify her husband's jealousy of her. They were married after an acquaintance of four months, and it was.she who supplied the money. She gave him £2O 14s 3>d on their wedding day to buy furniture with, but Watkins spent nearly all of it on brandy, to which he was very partial. On one occasion when her husband threatened her he seized a knife and drew it across his throat, making a sharp incision, which had not yet healed. Witness showed the mark made by the knife to His Worship. Eliza and Samuel Gibson, parents of the complainant, gave evidence bearing out the allegations made against Watkins. PUTS IT DOWN TO DRINK. In his evidence, accused denied having threatened his wife, but admitted', under cross-examination, that he did threaten her with a knife. He stated that his actions were due to jealousy, actuated by drink.' He was willing, if his wife would agree, to live together again. Accused admitted that his allegations of misconduct against his wife were totally unfounded, and were only imagined whilst under the influence of liquor. WIPE TAKES ILL. At this stage, Mrs. Watkins, who was in delicate health, collapsed, and had to be assisted from the court. THE DECISION.. "This is rather an extraordinary case," said His Worship. A young man, who has never been before the court before, gets married, and within a fortnight of jgetting married he threatens to cut his wile's throat." His Worship said he would not send accused to prison, for he did not think that would do much good. However, a prohibition order would be issued against him, so as to keep him away from drink in the future, for it would appear that drink was the primary cause of his trouble. Accused was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon, and ordered to find security for his conduct for twelve mouths. Securities were fixed in his own bond of £4O, arad two of £2O each. No time was allowed in which to find securities.