Police Court Summons for Maintenance: A Legal Ground for Desertion At H.M. Police Court on Wednesday before Mr. Peter Grain, Mrs. Johanna Doylend summoned her husband, P. J. Doylend, for maintenance for herself and three child-yen. Defendant did not appear.
Complainant, who stated that the marriage took place at Holy Trinity Cathedral in June, 1908, claimed maintenance on the ground of desertion. Her husband had made it so uncomfortable for her, she said, that she could not stay with him.
His Honour—That is one legal ground of desertion. It ig not necessary for a@ man actually to put his wife out of the house. It is sufficient that by his conduct he compels her to leave the house.
Asked what made it impossible for her to remain with her husband, complainant said that for some months he contributed nothing towards household expenses, and there were three children to keep. Witness maintained them by keeping a boarding house. Defendant was sometimes abusive, was not nice to the children, and also drank quite a lot. He was a barman at the Continental Hotel for two years. At present he was unemployed.
His Lordship—How do you expect him to pay maintenance, then?
Complainant—What about the children? It is very hard on me.
His Honour—I know that, but I am afraid I cannot do very much for you. The. Ican do is to make an ord the payment of £2 a, week.
Complainant—I cannot live on that in Shanghai, with three children.
Hig Honour—If you brought a civil action for separation, the Judge might make a larger allowance.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.