INTENDED TO LEAVE.

MAINTENANCE OF A WIFE.

EX-ASHBURTON. RESIDENT.

Arrested on the day of his projected departure for Australia, Arthur Richard Theodore Brunsden appeared in the Christchurch Magistrate's Court yesterday on ;a charge of having failed to provide adequate maintenance for his wife. In asking an order for the payment of £2 a week, Mr Wyvern \Vilson, S.M., also stipulated that secunty should be found within 24 hours. Mr Lascelles (for th© complainant) said that Brunsden, who had admitted misconduct, deserted his wife a month ago. On Friday night last he returned to his house in Worcester Street and showed his wife a boat ticket for Melbourne. He also had a contract note showing that he had disposed of shares. He said he was going to Australia with another woman. The complainant, Ethel Brunsden, said that after coming from Ashburton her husband and she lived in Worcester Street. A month ago he told her that he was done with her, and said goodbye forever. The last occasion on which she had received maintenance was three weeks ago, when her husband gave her £4. He called back on Saturday afternoon and brought his suit-case to pack it. . .' In reply to Mr Batchelor complainant said her husband had maintained her up to the present time. She had received £l4 during the last four weeks. Defendant said he had been married 19 years, and had lived in Ashburton. Owing to some trouble he decided to go to Australia, and he suggested that his wife should stay in Christchurch. He offered to maintain her, and she was quite agreeable. It was arranged that he was to send £2 a week. He had no intention of clearing out without providing maintenance. When he went to the house on Saturday he was arrested. Answering Mr Lascelles, defendant said th? trouble in Ashburton was due to another woman. A " lady friend, ' whom he had known for 15 years, was going to Australia with him, but she was proceeding to Sydney. In reply to the Magistrate, defendant •paid he and his wife could not eret on together. Their temperaments did not agree. He was 45 years of age and his wife was 42 There were no children. , .. To Mr Lascelles: Divorce papers had been served on him that morning. The Magistrate said he thought defendant intended to leave his wife without adequate maintenance. The realisation of his assets indicated that he intended to clear out and take his money with him. Complainant asked for maintenance at the rate of £2 a week and security.

The Magistrate: It is eminently a ease for security. 4 An order was made for maintenance at the rate of £2 a week, the first payment to be made on December 29, the defendant to give security for compliance with the order by a denosit of £2OO with the Public Trustee within '24 hours.

Mr Batchelor asked for an extension of time, statins; that defendant had sent £SOO to Melbourne', and arrangements would have to be made with the bank. The Magistrate said he would not extend the time. He would not trust defendant- for more than 24 hours. It would .rest with the wife and her legal adviser whether they had him arrested at the expiration of the time.