A WIFE’S ALIMONY.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 January 1921, Page 3

A WIFE’S ALIMONY.

VARIETY AGENT IN TROUBLE. A SEARCHING CROSS-EXAMINA-TION. William Henshall, variety agent, appeared in the King’s Bench Division, London, on a judgment summons to show cause why he Should not pay his wife, Rosalind J. Henshall, revue artist, arrears of alimony to which she was entitled under an order of the Registrar of the Divorce Division. Mr. *Bull, representing Mrs. Henshall, said that at the 1 time of the issue of the summons he? husband was £BO in ar rear. Mr. Justice Horridge said he noticed in the affidavit of means there was mention of Henshall owning racehorses. Henshall, in the witness-box, denied that he owned any racehorses. He admitted that he was living at Golder’s Green with a Mrs. Hargreaves, “the mother of my children;” but he did not know who paid the rent of the house. Has Lordship: Don’t think you are going to humbug me like that. Henshall: I cannot keep even myself, let alone keep anyone else. Defendant, in cross-examination, admitted that he lived with this lady before his marriage. He denied that he was a bookmaker. Whatever business he had, had gone. He had recently obtained a judgment for £6OOO, and the people went bankrupt, with the result that he had not a penny in the world. Air. Bull: Did you, immediately after your marriage to your wife, put racehorses in her name? —I gave her a racehorse. Did you give it in such a way that she never got possession of it? —No. Replying to a question by Mr. Bull as to his means, Henshall said, “What with you blood-sucking me——” His Lordship: If you do not behave properly I shall commit you. How many horses has Mrs. Hargreaves got running in her name?—l do not know. Mr. Bull: Did the judge in the Divorce Court describe you as an “unmitigated blackguard?”—Yes. His Lordship: Who did?—You, my Lord. He. added that Mrs. Hargreaves was a music hall artist who made a lot of money while he lost his. Henshall added that his. wife was deceiving £2O a week, and that he was absolutely “broken to the world.” His Lordship ordered him to pay £lO 6. month, the first payment on November Ist. Henshall: I can’t pay it. His Lordship: Then you will have to go to prison.