THE JOCKEY’S WIFE.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 October 1922, Page 5

THE JOCKEY’S WIFE.

THRASHES HER HUSBAND. PRELUDE TO DIVORCE. A smartly-dressed, smiling little woman, wearing stylish furs and attended by a retinue of female friends, stepped forward and faced the Magistrate in the Auckland Magistrate’s Court when the name of Edith Margaret Scott was called on Friday morning, says the Star. “What’s the charge?” asked the

lady. “Threatening behaviour,” said the Magistrate. Defendant: What’s that? (Laughter.)

Magistrate: Threatening to strike your husband. Defendant: Threatening—l gave him a hiding? (Loud laughter.) “Perhaps he deserved it,” said Mr. Poynton, smiling. Mr. McLiver produced the husband —a diminutive young man. “She only got him by the hair of the head and dragged him through the passage, punching him,” 'said the solicitor. 'Defendant: Served him right. (Laughter.)

Mr. McLiver: Divorce proceedings are pending for next week; he is going to seek the protection of the Divorce Court. My client is only a little man—a handful. (Laughter.) He was once one of Auckland’s leading jockeys. His wife goes to his billiard saloon and creates all sorts of trouble; she went there one night and slept there, and the marker couldn’t get her out. (Laughter.) The husband went to the house in Vincent Street to look for his child, and she gave him a good hiding. (Laughter.) Defendant: He has been a pest to me. (Laughter.)

Air. McLiver: She has threatened on numerous occasions to “do” for him, and judging by past experiences of her we are afraid sfie might. Defendant: He called me a bad name and I thrashed him. (Laughter.) Magistrate: Did anyone else hear him ? Mr. McLiver: I am afraid the defendant is rather addicted to drink—that’s the trouble. Magistrate: Where did this take place. ? Defendant: In my home. Air. McLiver: It is his home, which he provided for her. Magistrate: He’d better keep away from her. Air. McLiver: He does keep away, but he wanted to see his child, and it is his home anyway. Magistrate (to defendant): Well, you wont beat your husband again, will you? Will you promise not to do it again ? Defendant: Oh not T won’t do it again—I’m sorry I didn’t do more. (Laughter.) Magistrate: Case adjourned for six months! Defendant then left the Court in smiling triumph, followed by her retinue.