A SORDID STORY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3699, 7 December 1912, Page 8

A SORDID STORY.

WIFE’S APPLICATION FOR SEPARATION ORDER

At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before Mr W. A. Barton, ,S.M.. Alice Elizabeth Simpson, unrepresented by counsel, applied for a separation order, containing the other usual provisions of the “Destitute Persons Act,” against Alexander Simpson, who did not appear. -Applicant, in her evidence, said they had been married for 13 years and had four children, a girl 9 years of age, and boys 4, 10 and 11 years. Her husband, a laborer, earned an average of £2 14s per-week, and had not paid more than 15s a week towards tlie household expenses for some months past. He sometimes assaulted her. and drank to excess. Me had drunk to excess since they were married, although she ‘was not aware of tlie fact that lie was addicted to liquor before she married him. In fact, although he drank heavily, outsiders were oven now at. a loss to believe it.

His Worship granted a separation order, gave complainant custody of the children, and made an order against defendant for the payment of 5s a week to plaintiff and 5s for each of tlie four children.

rfrMr. Jos. Haslip. . 33. Bostonroad, Mount- Eden, Auckland, N.Z., 20th November. 1911.