IS MARRIAGE A FAILURE?

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3824, 1 June 1891, Page 2

IS MARRIAGE A FAILURE?

One would say it was in a case which came before theVCaatlemaine Court of Petty Sessions recently. The oomplainaot was Henry Parkinson, an old resident,, who proceeded against his wife Lucinda for assault and threats of violence, in order that defendant might be-bound over, by the bench to keep the peace, The evidence elicited went to prove that Mr and Mrs Parkinson had lived unhappily for some time past, and latterly the complainant was afraid that his wife would do him grievous bodily harm. The strainod relationship hitherto existing was intensified on the 20th of last month, when, according to plaintiffs statement, Mrs Parkinson appealed to Heaven for assistance as follows :

Oh God, have pity upon me and relieve me of my adversary. Eemove him from the earth! Take him away! Take away the big grub to where he will become a thousand grubs. Why is he left to encumber the ground ? He has now lived nearly seventy years; and what good is lie on the earth ? Take him away that someone better may take his place, Send disease upon him, or anything that will cause his death. Choke him! choke him ! Let him not live another day. Hear me and answer my prayer or I will weary Thee, I will weary Thee. I ask this for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

The complainant stated that on several occasions since the 20th April defendant had offered up the same prayer, with slight variations, and asserted that he was afraid to liye with her. The Bench held the case proved, and defendant was ordered to find two sureties of LSO each, and enter in her own recognisances of LIOO to keep the peace for twelve months; in default of obtaining sureties to be imprisoned for twelve months, It may be mentioned that the prayerful Lucinda is a State school teacher, and as a result of the Court's disclosures has been suspended from duty. The Age wants to know how the will suit the zealots who want religious instruction introduced into the school.