POLICE COURT, HAMILTON. Tuesday.—(Before Mr H. W. Northcroft, R. M.) Breach of the Destitute Persons Act.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1507, 2 March 1882, Page 2

POLICE COURT, HAMILTON. Tuesday.— (Before Mr H. W. Northcroft, R. M.) Breach of the Destitute Persons Act.

Alexander Smith, a settler residing near Hamilton, was charged on the information of his wife, Mary Jane Smith, with wilfully failing to provide her and her four children with adequate means of support, contrary, &c. Sergeant McGovern conducted the prosecution, and Mr W. M. Hay defended. Before the case was proceeded with, Mr Hay said thelinformant had handed in a memorandum withdrawing the complaint. The hearing of the case would involve the disclosure of veiy unpleasant matters, which ought not to be made public. Sergeant McGovern said if the complainant wished to withdraw the charge, he had no objection. Mary Jane Smith, the conft»l*iuant, was placed in the witaess-box,!Sffl|Porn. She said her husband had prfeEflpQ her to be better in the future. * a **§!!f£ Mr Hay said the husband's house had never been closed to the complainant. Mr Northcroft said the complaint the woman made, when she laid the information, was certainly a very, serious one. The defendant had usedher. very badly, and if he had not turned; Her "out of' the house had frightened her 'away. The witness said-hei^fiusbjuid had not turned her out. _ Hebatl^merely wished to frighten, her.^^ShevwisiTed now to withdraw the charge, "-v" PlaiM withdra^rfl accordingly,