IS IT A VILE PLOT?

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 299, 14 June 1912, Page 5

IS IT A VILE PLOT?

SEARCHING INQUIRY NEEDED. ' *. \ A PAINFUL STORY OF MARRIED LIFE. I By Telegraph—Press Association. 1 Auckland, Thursday. "Thie is a case which calls for searching inquiry to ascertain if o number of people have conspired to ruin this woman's character and her health," remarked Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court at the conclusion of a maintenance case which embraced many peculiar features. The case was based on a claim by Sarah Lilian Inder for £lO2 as arreiro of maintenance which her husband, William Francis Inder, had agreed to pay, at the Tate of £3 per week, when a separation order was made in 1908. Plaintiff admitted having received several small sums of money from her husband, but as she was in ill-health and could not work she sought to recover arrears and adequate suppon. > Mr. Singer appeared for plaintiff and Mr. Denniston represented defendant. Defendant's case was founded on th* | evidence of several witnesses, which indicated that Mrs. Inder's conduct had not been all that it ought to have been. Mr. Kettle suggested that Mrs. Inder' should invoke the support of the Destitute Persons Act. After some consideration by counsel the suggestion was not adopted. Mrs. Inder went into the witness-box and stated that she first met her husband at Wanganui, and she became so i attached to him that she afterwards j went to Dunedin to see. him. It wa« I then that witness heard Inder was married, and she endeavored to drown her sorrows by a holiday to Sydney. On returning to New Zealand witness found j tha't IndeT had obtained a divorce, and as her love waß not diminished she eventually married him. She was then 21 years old. "During our married ' life," said witness, "my 'husband fell in love with another girl. They drov« out in a beautiful motor-car. and .went week-end trips together." Witness then left her husband for some time., "I don't know whether my husband was a bad man or a fool," added witness, "bat I think he was probably a little of each." Witness said her husband never com- ' plained of her conduct. Cross-examined by Mr. Denniston, wit* ness admitted that she frequently took" ; doses of m'orphia.

Mr. Kettle: Who advised you to take morphia ? , y Mr. Singer contended that the evidence adduced by defendant revealed a plot ''■ to ruin his client., Perjury had beea ; committed, lie said, and he severely criticised the characters of the witnesses. . s - Mrs. Inder denied that sire had been >< guilty of misconduct, and she rebutted '! everything that had been laid against \ her. "I can promise yon a most searching inquiry into this matter," said Mr. Ket- -".'' tie, turning to Mrs. Tnder. "It ha» -\- been contended that these people are *"'■ piilty of perjury. You nave absolutely !'. denied everyfchng they have said, and .; ; ' if what you say is true these people are guilty of perjury and they have.conspired to Tuin you. I will leave Both- ■ : ing undone to get at the truth of the matter, and if I find that a conspiracy has been entered mto to injure thi« J woman, T will move heaven and eartK to reach the truth." The caise was adjourned until Satur- ■' i day morning. , . j