AN UNHAPPY HOUSEHOLD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 282, 1 May 1914, Page 6

AN UNHAPPY HOUSEHOLD.

SUIT FOK AlALVi'li-NANCK A sad story of domestic infelicity was unfolded in tiie Magistrate's Court yesterday, when Aieta Marie Francis, ol }\ew Plymouth, married woman (Mrs. J. 13. Koy) applied for a maintenance order against her husband, Thomas William Francis, of .New I'lymoutii, plumber (Mr. I l '. ]£. Wilson). In outlining his case, .Mr. Hoy stated that defendant was a good tradesman, but had given way to habits of intemperance, and bis 'business hail consequently fallen oil', in January, 1!)14, he became bankrupt. ile had tailed to provide adequate maintenance for his wife, who had to support live children, of ages ranging' from 15 years to live years, ile had on one occasion striiei: I his eldest daughter, aged 18, tne only | one of the eight children who was contributing regularly towards the household expenses, and had been ordered out of the house. Since then lie had done nothing to support his wife and the live young children. .Meta Marie Francis, wife of the defendant, stated that she had been married to him for "22 years, and had three older children living beside, those she supported. The title to the house was in her name, but a Government mortgage cost £25 per annum, and there | were rates to pay. Her husband's habits had been very intemperate for twelve months. Prior to his bankruptcy he provided for some time tli" meat and groceries, but since then lie had done nothing to maintain her or her children. On Marj'h 7 he had struck his eldest daughter (who contributed 15s per week to the support ol the home) 1 and had consequently been turned out jof the house by the shoulders. Since j that date he had done nothing to mainI tain her and her children. She had no | actual money from him since the second ! week in December.

To Air. "Wilson: Her husband gave her the house. The furniture ivas hers as much as his. She did not protest when he claimed it on .his bankruptcy as his. Ir. December she and tin; live young children went to Mitstertoii and Blenheim. All- she had then was. £5. Mie did not write to him because lie was not worth it. She came back at the end of January. She had known nothing of her husband's bankruptcy. He asked her why she had come back, and she said, to' claim her rights. The butcher had called at the house on her husband's) instructions and she took meat from him. She had hardly spoken to him since .January. It was not true that she would not prepare his meals. She had cooked them for him, and be had treated her like a dog. lie had never been convicted of drunkenness, and,she bad not applied for a prohibition order against him, because that ivas no use. lie used to drink constantly, and at times would sleep at his shop. Maude Francis, daughter of the defendant, aged 18 years, gave simil.ir evidence. She said her father constantly drank whisky, and had insulted her.

"Defendant, in evidence, stated thai Im was. not a total abstainer, but denied the charges of drunkenness, lie was incapacitated from climbing a ladder, and could not get work at bis trade, although he had tried. He denied the truth of the evidence of his wife and daughter. He thought he had a right to correct his daughter. He stayed away from home for the sake of peace. He was at present applying for a position as borough turn-cock in a North Island town, lie was quite willing to support his family when he had money to do so.

George Lammerton, a former employee of Francis, stated that while the latter was not a total abstainer, he hnd never known him to be drunk, as stated by his wife and daughter. 'Mr. Crooke, S.M., said it appeared to be useless to make an order it the man had no money. After a discussion between counsel, it was agreed that the case should be adjourned for a month, to see if an, arrangement could not be come to in the meantime.