CLAIM FOR MAINTENANCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1919, Page 5

CLAIM FOR MAINTENANCE.

AN UNUSUAL CASE. Timaru, Dec. 18. A maintenance case, having unusual features, came before Mr. McLean, S.M., to-day. A retired farmer named Patrick Fahey was sued for maintenance by his wife, whom he left in Melbourne with four children 18 years ago, and came to New Zealand. He wrote her and sent small sums—his wife said only £2. He also asked her to come to New Zealand, but sent no money for the passage. She replied that she would come if he sent the passage money. Since then she had heard nothing of or from him .tin til recently, and had to get her own living by washing and charing. She had suffered in the influenza epidemic, and the doctor advised her to give up work if she could. 'Die defendant admitted that lie had £2OOO in war loan, and £1650 oil mortgage and had bougiit the house he occupied in Timaru, his income being about £4 per week. He had sent nothing to his wife for 15 years. He came to New Zealand with his wife's consent, and woulkl have made a home for her if she had come over. He did not wish lier to live with him now. Miss Walker, a cousin of defendant, gave evidence that, she all along disapproved of defendant's neglect of his wffe and children, and had tried to get the wife's address. Only recently she had succeeded, and it was due to her that the wife was here now to bring the action. Defendant had always had a housekeeper, and sometimes a housekeeper with children. Witness had no grievance with the defendant, except his neglect of his wife and children. The Magistrate made an order for £25 [n respect of past maintenance, £1 15s per week, and a deposit of £2OO or find a bond "for £2OO to ensure compliance.