A REMARKABLE CASE.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 August 1918, Page 3

A REMARKABLE CASE.

SOLDIER OBTAINS LEAVK TO APPLY FOR DIVORCE. j Gisborno, August *22. ' A remarkable case earae before the Military Service Board, to-day, when an appellant named Lance-Corporal C. A. Barnfatker, who asked for an extension of leave, was severely criticised for giving what the board characterised as doubtful evidence. The chairman stated that appellant had already applied for leave to enable him to carry out divorce proceedings/ Be was given leave, hut his pay was stopped, and he asked for full pay, as he was supporting children. A report was received from the military authorities which put quite a different complexion on the case, and the authorities desired that full inquiries be made in | the matter. ! I'' ie appellant said his wife deserted l him in IDI3, and w;as away for a month, f She then returned and endeavored to j make it up with him, but ho refused. Appellant added that when he refused I to make it up with his wife she had an order made against him for maintenance, , Witness' mother looked after the children. Just before he embarked on a ' troopship his wife took the children i from his mother's care and claimed : maintenance. ! The chairman: How did you return from service to the Bominion? 1 Appellant: My colonel said :'t was a deserving case and urged me to return to Xew Zealand to conduct divorce proceedings. ! Captain Beale: You are making blaek- ; guardly statements against your wife. Have any proceedings been taken yet? ' It is tivo or three months ago since you were last before the board in AA7ellingj ton. Appellant: It is a difficult matter to ' piece the information together. | AVas not the trouble' caused by your ; failure to maintain her and the children? -Xo. I AA'as not there a prosecution aatttßM j you in 1915 for failing to support your wife and family?—l cannot remember that. Captain Hcale: You have misled the authorities at the front; you have misled the board, and now you make false statements against your wife. Mr. "R. M. Birrell deposed that be was chairman of the Claims femmittoe of the Citizens' Defence Committee and bad gone fully into the case. About 15 months ago Mrs. Barn father was getting 110 allowance whatever. Representations were made to the authorities concerned, and the children's allowance was made, but 110 separation allowance or allotment; The Mayor and himself secured the allotment. Witness had used every method to ascertain if there was any truth in the statement ol; appellant against his wife, but without success. Barnfatl.'er returned to Jfew Zealand by some means or other, and the wife's allowance stopped. AA'itness telegraphed to Wellington but failed to obtain any satisfaction, and the Claims Committee had been obliged to subsidise the wife in the meantime. The chairman (to appellant'): How long were you on active service? Appellant: About twelve months. Mr. Burnard said the man's bona fides had been challenged, and he asked for