The family of JSG Hoffmann

The Horsham Times (Vic. : 1882 - 1954) Tue 7 Aug 1923 p5 Maintenance Claim WIFE OBTAINS ORDER AGAINST HUSBAND. The case of Nuske v. Nuske, a wife's claim against her husband for maintenance, was called at the Horsham Police Court on Friday morning, be fore Mr. W. C. Wilson, P.M. Mr. Wilmoth appeared for Mrs. Nuske, the plaintiff, and Mr. J. Bennett for Mr. Nuske,. the defendant. Mr. Wilmoth said the -parties had -been married for many years. As far back at 1884 defendant was a farmer. They resided in the Dimboola district. Defendant finally sold his farm, and -since then he had done practically nothing for the support of his wife. For many years she grew garden stuff, and kept fowls to maintain herself. Defendant went in and out, but did not give his wife much money. Some years ago one of the sons got a place near Haven, and defendant and his wife went to live there. Defendant, while working, did not give his wife much money. Eighteen months ago defendant left home and went away working. His wife asked- him not to go. He came back two or three times, and finally left on February 22. He had not been back since. From that time his wife had received nothing. There was no reason why he should leave home. When proceedings were threatened he arranged to pay £1 a week to his wife. This £1 a week was paid for a while. The last payment was on February 9 this year, when the payments ceased and complained had received nothing from. her husband. It was not a case of a wife refusing to live with her husband. When he sold his farm and left Dimboola he had some hundreds of pounds, When they came to Horsham the wife had several cows and some fowls, As nothing was coming in she had to gradually dispose of them. At present she had one cow, and was entirely dependent on what the children gave her. Emily Frederica Augusta Nuske, now living at Haven, said she had been married to Charles Frederick Samuel Nuske in 1884;. At that time they were living at Katyil, near Dimboola. He had a farm of 319 acres 12 or 14 years ago. Four years ago they came to Horsham. Witness supported her counsel's statement as to the payment of £1 a week for a while. He had been a well-to-do farmer, and a decent man, but he went to places where he should not go. She had about £10, and got a rental of 5/ a week for two acres. Mr. Bennett : Do you think your husband deliberately sold the farm and left you to starve? He kept me that silly that I had not time even to read. Complainant said there had been nine in the family. There were five now the youngest 18, and the eldest 40. Mr. Bennett : Did he not support them.-Not much; I had to work on the farm. Mr. Bennett : Don't other farmers' wives work' on the farm? -He made a slave of me. Complainant said there were three sons living at home, Two paid £1 a week for board, The young-. est gave her his money. She did not charge him anything. He earned £3 a week. She did not think it would be fair to charge the youngest, she j put the money in the bank for him. There was £50-to his credit in her name now. Did you not sell the cows because the land at Haven would not keep them? What would your husband, find to do there -There is plenty to do ; make a garden. Does not your husband go away to earn money? - It is no good his earning money. He goes through with it. During the last year, since September, he gave me £33. How do you think your husband can get money by following his occupation as a farm labourer without going away? -I don't want him to do so. Would you be satisfied if your husband went home to do nothing - You cannot expect me to keep him. I don't think he would be any more good now. Will you take him back again? - I don't know. If your husband says he is quite willing to live at home would you be willing to take him - I don't think so. He ill-treats me, he hits me and kicks me, and he swears-something frightful. He is good to strangers, but not to me or his own children. Do you know that the mortgagee took his farm and sold it? - He put money in the bank. Is there any farm work he could get so that he could get home at night - He would not do it, When you get him home don't you "nag" at him - He has not spoken to me for nine or ten years. Complainant, in answer to further questions, said she had told her husband there were places he should not go to. She had followed him on one occasion to a house where he had put bags on his horse (to prevent identification). It was not a bit of imagination. She made certain accusations against her husband which were true. Did you accuse him of, going to the blacks' camp. Do you believe that is true? - Yes. Do you remember when he was working at Martin's you went up to see if he was in bed? - he was not in bed. I had some good reason. Did you put kerosene tins against your husband's door so that he could not get away? - He never put a lock on his door. Mr. Bennett said the woman was suffering from hallucination.- Her husband was a decent, hard-working man. About 25 years ago he had met with reverses, and at present was earning nothing. The wife would not permit him to go away to earn money. Charles Frederick Samuel Nuske, husband of the last Witness, said he had, farm at Antwerp. The mortgagee foreclosed, and he got nothing. He gave his wife two acres for peace sake. He was prepared to live at home. He worked as a farm labourer and had about £8 or £9 saved up now. He was 66 years of age, and suffered from rheumatism. He had earned 25/ a week during the seeding time for five weeks. He was at present at Wollermann's working for his board. To the Police Magistrate : He would expect to earn £1 or 25/ a week when at work. Defendant said he could not make a living on the ten acres at Haven. The place would not keep a fellow a fellow had to keep it. He was pre pared to live at home on certain conditions. What are the conditions? - I don't think she is quite right. Defendant said she would have got some money if she had not summoned him. The P.M.: How much could you pay towards your wife's maintenance? - It depends on when I get work. To Mr. Wilmoth: At haymaking he would have to be satisfied with half the regular wage of £3 10/. The P.M.: I will make an order for 7/6 a week, with one surety of £10, and £2 7/6 costs.