Can a Man Legally Sell his Wife.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2955, 5 August 1878, Page 2

Can a Man Legally Sell his Wife.

In explanation of Dr Wallis's queer question, of which he gave notice today, inquiring whether the law of New Zealand allowed a man to sell his wife to another, it should be mentioned that yesterday a man named Roberts actually sold his wife to another man named Jago. ihe latter had formerly lived with the woman, and during his absence from Wellington she had married Roberts. Jago, ou learning this, assaulted the woman, md was fined for so doing, and afterwards Roberts agreed to sell her for £2 10s., the cost of the marriage ceremony. The money was paid by Jago, and the following document was drawn up, and executed by the husband :—" Wellington, Ist August, 1878,—1 hereby release and sellout to Jack Jago, her original lover and colonial husband, all claim to my wife, Sara Ann Roberts, pianist at Jones's Wellington saloon, for the sum of £2 10s.—(signed) Thos. John Roberts. Witnesses, James Hobbisey, C. Wink."

The affair found its way into the papers, and to-day Roberts published the following advertisement:—" The amount of money which I received is true, but I did not sell my wife, as stated in the papers. The money received was on her behalf. I will have my wife at any time.—Apply to me, T. J. Roberts." Remarking on this, the Post this evening says: —" Ti is announcement is somewhat puzzling, and would lead one to believe that Mr Roberta's sale of his wife

was not what the lawyers term a con* '* vejance in fee simple, but that he merely executed an assignment for a period, determined at pleasure. Seriously speaking;, however, the amount of depravity which the whole affair exhibits is absolutely disgusting; and uo words of contempt can be too strong for such despicable conduct. A man who could sign such, a document as we published yesterday, is not worthy of the name of man, while the announcement quoted above is, if possible, still more shameful." . Dr Wallis may be perhaps joking, bufc it is considered in the House that the subject had better have been left untouched by our legislators.—Herald's Correspondent. •