"PLENTY OF WOMEN." MANN REMINDS HIS MISSUS "THERE ARE OTHERS;"
But He is Ordered to Support Elsie.
Mary Mann proceeded against her husband, James Samuel Mann, for maintenance. Mr C. J. McFarlane appeared for the complainant, and Mr. D. C. Levy for the defendant. Complainant said she was married to defendant in 1911, and there was one child of the marriage. In October, 1914, she went away for a holiday, and was absent ten days. When she returned she found that during her absence another woman had been living in the house. Defendant said he had "plenty of women", and was quite indifferent whether witness returned home or not. Complainant procured employment, and obtained an order against defendant, who was a hatter, in receipt of considerably over £4 a week, for 10s. a week for the support of the child. Complainant left home because her husband refused to support her. In answer to Mr. Levy, complainant said that if defendant had written to her asking her to return home she had not received the letter. She was quite persuaded that the woman defendant got in while she was away was not merely there as cook and house-keeper. Complainant was fond of skating, and had some ambition to
GO ON THE STAGE.
She refused to live with defendant any longer and would not accept any offer of a home made by him. He had never given her sufficient to keep house on, and prior to the birth of their child he had not treated her well. She was not in the habit of coming home at all hours of the night, but defendant often came home drunk, though apparently that did not interfere with his employment. One day, under great provocation, complainant pulled off her wedding ring and dashed it on the floor. James Samuel Mann, defendant, said he had been in one position for over 17 years. He denied treating complainant badly, and said she left home against his wishes, and when she took her departure she practically Stripped the house. Matters were patched up but complainant left him. She was in the habit of coming home late at night, and refused to say where she had been. He was willing to provide a home for her.
Mr. McFarlane: You enlisted?
Defendant : Yes, and my wife said she
HOPED I WOULD BE SHOT.
She went out to work, but there was no necessity for her to do it. I locked her out once, but only meant it as a joke. When she came back after her holiday she kicked up a row because I had to get a woman in to look after the place. I might have said that I could get plenty of women. Complainant (recalled) denied that she ever expressed a hope that her husband would be killed in action. All she said was that she hoped he would not come back from the front to where she was.
The Bench made an order of 10s a week towards complainant's support, defendant, to find one surety of £20, in default to be imprisoned for six months. Defendant was also ordered to pay £2 2s. costs.
"PLENTY OF WOMEN.". (1916, November 18). Truth (Melbourne ed.) (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 7. Retrieved November 26, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article130163757
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