SOBS & PROMISES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 June 1938, Page 8

SOBS & PROMISES

YOUNG MARRIED MAN BEFORE COURT SCENE IN LINCOLN ROAD “I did not strike my wife, I only put my hand out and said, ‘Mona, come here I want to talk to you,’ ” sobbed Herbert Hill, a young' married man, ■when charged at a special Court sitting in the Masterton Police Station this morning with behaving in a disorderly manner in Lincoln Road. When Mr A. D. Low, J.P., who presided, asked Hill how he pleaded, accused broke down and sobbed: “I was in the wrong.” Constable R. Hill told the Court that shortly before 9 o’clock that morning he was attracted by a women’s voice in Lincoln Road, and saw the accused’s wife running down the street chased by her husband. Accused struck out at his wife and later the constable had to intervene to prevent him striking her again. Witness went on to refer to previous experience he had had with accused over domestic discord with his wife and said that on one occasion he had seen Hill following his wife down the road on a cycle threatening to “knock her head of” if he caught her. She had sought police protection on several occasions and in the presence of witness had been ordered out of the room they were living in by her husband. On each occasion he had been warned that he was committing an offence.

In reply to Mr Low, accused said that he and his wife had agreed to settle their differences and live together. An argument, however, had arisen over their future place of abode. His father had offered to build two rooms for them at his place, but he did not want to go there as there was no freedom, and he could not use his wireless.

Sergeant G. Paine, who conducted the prosecution, said the couple were unhappily married. The wife was a nervous wreck, and appeared to be terrified of her husband. Mr Low told accused that he was in danger, of becoming a nuisance to the community, and the only remedy for such people was to lock them up. “Give me another chance and I promise to be a good citizen,” pleaded accused, who said he loved his wife and wanted to live with her. “I did not strike my wife this morning, I only wanted to get her some breakfast. I am a good worker and have a job to go to. I will not cause any more trouble. I will sign any statement that I will be a good citizen. I want to be happy with my wife and work for her.”

“We would like to give you another chance,” observed Mr Low, “but any repetition of this trouble and you will be punished.” After giving him some advice and warning him about committing further similar offences, Mr Low convicted accused and ordered him to come up for sentence if called upon within six months. “I will be good,” declared accused as as the Court, held in unusual surroundings, rose.