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Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4369, 4 January 1883, Page 2

(To the Iditor of the Evening Star.)

Sib, —The boot is on the other leg this time, and I don't see that either you or your contemporary taking up the cause of the male sex. Sir, if a man drinks and squanders his means, ill uses his'wife and I family, the whole world and the fourth estate are down upon him at once. Now, sir, in my case, which nine-tenths of the people of the Thames understand, and the manner in which I have been treated by a woman whom I am obliged to call wife. Sir. eight months ago I had occasion to take her before our much respected and honored R.M. He then bound her over to keep the peace towards me and all Her Majesty's subjects for three months. A month after the time expired I had to apply for a prohibition order, which was granted. The woman, in defiance of this order, still continues to | get drunk, ruining my business, beating my children, and leading myself a life unknown out of hell. Now, sir, the question is, can you define the meaning of contempt of Court ? To me it seems not only contempt but defiance of our worthy R.M., the Police Force, and our clever law makers at Wellington. She has been locked up by the police since this order was made. I have had occasion, to call the police into my house to see the state of intoxication that she has been in five or six: times since the prohibition order was made, and still our tbin-skinned R.M. cannot or will not construe this conduct into contempt of Court. I had last week to get her again bound over to keep tha peace towards me and Her Majesty's subjects. Well, sir, what wag the result ? she left the Court House, went and got J drunk. I called a constable in to see the state of her ; since then, not a week ago, she has been in a state of semi»drunken* ness all the time. Yesterday on my arrival home, after my rounds, she attacked me more like a wild beast or a fiend. The police (being a holiday) could not dc^ any thing for me without a warrant. I again applied this morning to our worthy K.M., and he issued a summons for her appearance. After a great search the police found her in one of the so-called lowest hovels of the Thames. After stating my case, the B.M. said : " I don't know what to do." I think, sir, if &v

order was made on a brutal or a drunken husband he would see that the order was complied with, or I think he would visit Mount Eden. The case is adjourned for a week. Can you, sir, or any-of your numerous readers show our worthy JJ.M. what would be the correct thing to do in this case. I have been recommended to take the law in my own bands, but why should I do that when we have persons paid to administrate and carry out the laws. As this is a case where bloodshed might occur, or life even imperilled, but not by my hands, I hope you will insert this in your valuable journal, *eeP" ing in mind the mjolto of the Auckland Evening Star.—l am, &c, W. H. Wakehah.