WITNEY.
PETTY SESSIONS.
july 16th.
Before Rev. R.L. Baker (Chairman) P. Southby, F.J. Staples-Browne, and C. Early Esqs. and Capt. Wynter.
wife desertion.
Charles Pratley, of Fulbrook, was charged with leaving his wife chargeable to the Guardians of the Witney Union.
Defendant pleaded not guilty.
William Job Clarke, relieving officer, for the Burford district of the Witney Union, deposed: Ann Pratley, has become chargeable to the Guardians of the Witney Union. The defendant is a woodman, this is his second wife; there are children on both sides.
Defendant said his wife left him without any reason whatever. She left him three times, and came back twice; the third time she said she had plenty to keep her.
The Chairman: How long have you been living at Fulbrook?
Defendant: About 10 years. I wish I had never seen it.
The Chairman: You will have to pay £2 4s. 0d. and is 4s. a week.
Defendant: I shall not pay that. I will go to prison.
The Chairman: Now don't be obstinate, you pay it.
Defendant: How is anybody to pay it, when he can't.
The Chairman: If you don't you will have to go to prison.
Defendant: Well I never have been to prison, but I wil go rather than pay that.
The Chairman: Look here, the Magistrates want to help you as much as they can. You must pay £1 in the course of a fortnight, and contribute 2s. 6d. per week towards your wife's support.
Defendant: I cannot do it sir.
The Chairman: Well, that is the best we can do for you. We shall have to send you to prison if you don't pay.
Defendant: I shall not pay 2s. 6d. a week.
The Chairman: We will talk about that another time.
The defendant paid the £1, but left the Court declaring he would not pay 2s. 6d. a week. |