HUSBANDS AND WIVES.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 September 1922, Page 6

HUSBANDS AND WIVES.

WHEN HUSBANDS DEFAULT. THE MAGISTRATE ON MARRIAGE. Some remarks very much to the point were made by Mr. A .M. Mowlem, at the Magistrate’s Court at New Plymouth yesterday to a young husband who had failed to carry out his marital responsibilities in the matter of providing adequate maintenance for his wife. Edgar Gillbanks was the defaulting husband, and Mr. F. E. Wilson appeared for the wife, Ellen Gilbanks. The parties were married in April, and a few weeks later a child was born. The complainant said Gilbanks knew of her condition when they were married, but after living together for about a month her husband had not supported her or her child. She had lived with friends of her own and her husband’s relatives, and was at present staying with his aunt. Mr. Mowlem expressed surprise that they should be in the court so soon after their marriage. He heard Gilbanks’ evidence to the effect that when he married the complainant he had believed that he was the father of the child, and that he had subsequently paid her fare to take the baby to his sister, who was going to adopt ..it. after which complainant was to go out to work for herself in her maiden name. The magistrate asked: “But why should she work?” “It was her own proposal,” responded Gilbanks. “But don’t you realise that she is your wife?” added Mr. Mowlem. “You married her and you must keep her and the child. It’s a pity you young people don’t realise that in marriage there is something more serious than momentary gratification of personal pleasure.” After commenting on the fact that it was a serious matter for young people to make such a start of their married life. Mr. Mowlem made an order for the payment of 30s per week and £5 on account of past maintenance, but he said that it was still possible for defendant to take his wife and child hack and make a fresh start. The order need not in any way be a hindrance between 1 them. Later on Mr. Mowlem imparted a few words of wholesome advice in impressing unon Gilbanks what would happen if he defaulted in the payment’, the ’ first of wh’ch is to be made next Thursi day. He also urged him tn obtain work nt once or he would find himself in trouble. “YOU CAN ST FTP TN THE PADDOCK.” “You can sleep in the naddock ” Such was the pnenuragpment "Ivon hv Leo F]vn Bradlev to h’s wife after h° had “chucked up” h ; s ioh and they had perforce to vacate +hp house thpv were living in. Thp w'fp. Ethol May Bradlev. ■sought something more c "hstantial from PradletT than promise' in the wav of maintenance for herself and child and the tale pl'citpd bv "Mr R. TT. On’lliam who apnearoH fo* her. showed that her ’•nshand had left her some considerable ‘imp a?o. Hp had been shiftless and -pstless. and it was spgrnrp S ted that hi= : nabil ; tv to settle down to anv partirn’«r neennation was due at bottom to his interest in racincr. The magistrate made an order for •enaration and the navment of 39s per week a<= maintenance, and £7 10= for na-t maintenance. An order giving '•omnlainant the guardianship of the ehild was also made, while Mr. Quill ; am was given his costs “for what it is worth.”