ALLEGED DESERTION BY A LOCAL GENTLEMAN
SINGULAR STATEMENTS
At the Sunderland Petty Sessions on Saturday, before Mr. James Laing (chairman) and Col. C. J. Briggs, Robert F. Strong was charged at the instance of the Board of Guardians with neglecting to maintain his wife and family, whereby they had become chargeable to the Union.
The defendant, who had been apprehended by Mr. James Wilson, relieving officer, on a warrant, was very respectably dressed, as was also his wife.
Strong is stated too have been formerly a timber merchant in the town, but at present clerk and agent to the son of Mr. Justice Wills.
His wife is a daughter of Mr. John Thompson, a retired shipbuilder.
Mr. L. S. Iliff prosecuted on behalf of the board of Guardians, and Mr. A. T. Crow defended.
On the case being called,
Mr Crow said: I have received instructions within the last few minutes for the defence, and I have to apply that the case may be adjourned.
Mr Iliff: I appear for the prosecution, instructed by the Poor Law authorities.
I do not object to my friend's application for an adjournment, provided substantial bail be forthcoming.
Mr James Laing: The accused is summoned for that he, being a person able to work and to maintain himself and family, did unlawfully and willfully neglect to do so, whereby his wife and his five children have become chargeable to the Union.
Mr Crow: That is the charge.
He was only arrested yesterday in Kensington, London.
Mr J. Laing: On what ground do you ask on for an adjournment?
Mr Crow: So as to enable me to get evidence that the wife deserted the husband.
Mr J. Laing: But he has deserted not only his wife, but his five children as well.
Mr Crow: We have a perfect answer to the summons.
I may say that I am instructed by Mr Hy. Ritson, who is at Harrowgate, that he wants to come here and give evidence on behalf of the defendant.
Mr J Laing: Have you proper bail?
Mr Crow: Will you worships state what bail you require?
Col Briggs (to the relieving officer): How much have you against him?
What are the charges?
Mr J Wilson: I can scarcely tell you.
it is less than £10.
Mr J. Laing: They are now chargeable to the Union, and have been foe some time?
Mr. Wilson: Yes.
Mr J Laing: We shall require substantial bail.
Col Briggs (to Mr Iliff): You do not object to the adjournment?
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Mr Iliff: No; prisoner was arrested yesterday.
If he has a defence we shall be very glad to hear it, but I would point out that in fixing the amount of bail you must bear in mind that during the time of adjournment the wife and children are still chargeable to the parish, and not only must the
amount due at present be considered, but also the amount that will be incurred during the present week.
Col Briggs (to the accused): Are you prepared to take the wife and children out of the Workhouse?
Defendant: No; certainly not.
Mr J Laing: You appear to be a respectable man and in a superior station of life.
A certain amount of indignity is inflicted upon your wife and children when a man in your position allows them to be taken to the Workhouse.
Therefore on these grounds, you ought to make some provision to take them out and maintain them.
It is only what a man of your means and station in life should do between now and the adjournment.
Defendant: Yes, Mr Laing; there is a good deal behind that.
Mr J Laing: If you are not prepared to do this, I do not see why we should take bail.
Defendant: There is a good deal behind this.
Mr J Laing: Further than that, Mr Crow, there will be the recurring expenses during the week.
Mr Crow (after consultation with Strong): On behalf of the defendant, I may say that he will not take his wife out.
He instructs me to say so.
There is something behind and he will not maintain her.
Mr J Laing: Then we can only adjourn the case for a week and cannot take bail.
Mr Crow: Will your Worships fix the amount of bail?
Mr J Laing: Not under the circumstances.
He is brought here on a very serious charge.
His wife and children are chargeable to the Workhouse, and we give him an opportunity of providing for them in the meantime.
If he declines to do that we shall comply with your wish for adjournment, but without bail.
Mr Crow (after another consultation with his client): He instructs me to say he will take his children out, but not his wife.
Mr J Laing: No; we cannot do that.
Mr Crow: If certain questions are put to the wife _______
Mr J Laing: At present they are classed together, the wife and five children.
If the children are taken out the mother must go with them.
We cannot sperate them.
The bench do not know what the facts really are.
Mr Crow: It is only fair to the defendant that your worship should grant bail.
Mr J Laing We have already said that we were prepared to accept bail if he would take his wife and children out of the Workhouse, and provide for them in A manner commensurate with the circumstances of his life.
Does he dispute that she is his wife or they are his children?
Defendant: No.
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