TRINDER'S TROUBLE.
Johanna's Jags Jeopardise Joy.
In a maintenance with the customary lidy complainant, the lidy usually unfolds a lengthy narrative of boose, battery and bad language borne from her worse half, but in the Dunedin Magistrate's Court last week, the boot was on the other hoof when the matrimonial troubles of Charles and Johanna Trinder were related to Mr J Haselden, S.M.
Johanna informed his Worship that she had been living in solitary confinement for about 14 months, and during that time Charlie had not found her the necessary dough to make ends meet. She had first shared the same couch with him six years ago on February 7 last. The fruits of their union were three children, but one had passed in its cheques, though two, a boy and a girl, were still struggling through the mortal coil. She had had the boy all the time up till about six weeks ago, and she had had the girl for about six months. About six weeks ago, Charlie had written to her to come back. He said he had taken a place in Cumberland-street, but when they went there to the house of a Mrs McArthur, she laughed at them. Charlie and she then went to a boarding house in George-street, but they were only there a night or two when she was locked out, and they wouldn't let her in. That was on a Sunday morning. She went out to telephone her sister. She was not gone more than half an hour, and when she returned the door was locked. She admitted that she had liked her "bucket of suds," but for about two years she had been pretty well on the water cart. She took some about six weeks ago. She got that in Charlie's pocket. He was inky.
Lawyer Payne told his Worship that they did not intend to decline to find maintenance, but his client was averse to paying any money into her hands direct. He was quite willing to pay her father 10s per week.
Cross-examining the witness, he brought forth all the tale of the merry jag. A prohibition order had been issued against her and it was not safe for the children to be with her. This the witness denied. She could not, however, contradict that her baby had been taken to the Karitane Infants' Home.
Charles Trinder said he was a cab proprietor, in partnership with his brother. He raked in about 10 or 12 fluid weekly from the biz. They had three kebs and seven nags. His share of the profits would be about two quid to two ten. He was paying seven bob a week for the baby girl in a home and he was giving his sister half a kicker to look after the boy.
His Worship: You are pretty generous with the boy.
Charlie said that out of the business he had to support his sister. He would make an allowance of 10s per week to be paid to his wife's father.
The wife: "What about your next baby?"
Court orderly: Silence.
His Worship made an order for 15s weekly to be paid to the Clerk of Court, who would pay the amount into the hands of James Walsh, father of the complainant.
As a sequel to her triumphant victory in her proceedings for maintenance against her husband, Johanna promptly left the court with exuberance in her heart and a glow of satisfaction m her soul. She had soaked the hubby for fifteen roberts weekly, and such an occasion must be fittingly celebrated. "What's better than a beer-oh?" said Johanna, and though she was under the stern strictures of a thirst- confining order, this did not deter her. She copped some guinea to run the cutter for her, and soon she was in the halo of an "Oh, be joyful movement." Her little finger twisted valiantly, and she was soon in the throes of that booze-giving sentiment which absorbs the minds of many wandering souls. The time came when Johanna couldn't stand up to it, and so she sought a sedentary position in the Triangle. Sitting up became too troublesome, so she sprawled along the seat, and there Constable Webb found her "pickled to the eyebrows." Carefully carted to a cab, she was moved to a temporary lodging opposite the Railway depot, and on Saturday morning answered to the charge of ''Boozed and breach of the thirst-confining order." Magistrate Haselden was very gentle with her. He said he would make allowances for the previous day. She would be convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. -NZ Truth, 30/3/1912.
MRS. TRINDER'S TERRIBLE TRICKS.
LIQUOR, LOAFING, LECHERY.
AYRE'S ANIMALITY AND MRS. AYRES' ANXIETY.
A Moray Place Episode.
(From "Truth's" Dunedin Rep.)
Last Tuesday, before his Honor Judge Sim, the long-lingering divorce case of Chas. Trinder, cabman, v. Johanna Trinder, with a bloke named Ayres as co-respondent, was heard in the Supreme Court. Johanna defended strenuously, so strenuously indeed that his Honor scarcely believed any portion of her evidence. The respondent was represented by Lawyer Hay, and the petitioner by Lawyer Irwin. Ayres kept in the background. The allegations were habitual neglect of domestic duties, drunkenness and adultery.
Charles Timothy Trinder, who has been 15 years a cabman, said he was married to Johanna, nee Walsh, the respondent, in St. Patrick's Basilica, South Dunedin, 1906. For a time all went well, and they lived in George street until three years ago, when she left him. For the past five years she had been liquorising to an alarming extent. She was drunk three or four days m the week, and when he would leave the morning to return home at night, he would generally find her in a state of intoxication. She was incapable of looking after her children, and could face either beer, or whisky. Her father eventually sent her to Mount Magdalene Home, Christchurch, where she stayed six months. Since they parted three years ago he had little communication with her, but, under order of the lower Court he allowed her 15s a week. She eventually got into the hands of the police and had a record of seven convictions and breaches of order. Frequently In the street he saw her with
BAD CHARACTERS, and her once in a back street pubbery drinking with a low fellow named Edgar. Her condition was pretty always semi-drunken.
To Mr. Hay: In 1906 when he married Johanna she was a nice, sober, respectable girl. When the first child was born she commenced the booze, and gradually then onwards she did away with a wee brewery. He was a sober man, a moderate, and could take his share in a quiet uncompromising way like other young men. He never went home intoxicated or with boon companions to his wife, but occasionally he brought home drink for his own use, but not for her abuse.
If Miss Doudy, your aunt-in-law, says you and another man came home one night and sang drunken songs in your wife's bedroom, and she will, will you deny it? — Drunken songs! I can't sing, you know.
Charles Henry McGlone, police sergeant, said he knew Ayres, the co-respondent, and all the Trinders very well. On April 30 last, on Mrs. Ayres's requisition, he visited 179a Moray place, with Constable Amies. He found Mrs. Trinder and Mr. Ayres m the same bed. Both were drunk and practically nude. All Mrs. Trinder had on was a blouse, and Ayres had his shirt on. Mrs. Trinder told him
NOT TO MAKE A FUSS ABOUT IT!
To Mr, Hay: He found them in bed and left them there. Mrs. Ayres is Mrs, Trinder's sister, and she told him that Johanna, who is prohibited; was in the house.
Constable Amies corroborated and said that Ayres and Mrs. Trinder in the bed were in dangerous proximity.
Good old Dan'l Berry, private 'tec., said he knew the Ayres intimately; they were good respectable people, and were living happily together. 'Blime, Dan'l!
Lawyer Hay said it was unfortunate that what had taken place between Mrs. Trinder and Mr. Ayres was true. Mrs. Ayres, however, when the police left, lay across the bottom of the same bed, and that shows how little harm was done, and how drunk were Mrs. Trinder and Mr. Ayres. The case was a pathetic one, as Trinder married his wife, as he admits, when she was a good, sober girl. His drinking habits were the cause of his wife's ruin, for at a most dangerous period, when she was enceinte, he plied her with liquor. Mr. Hay contended that the man's own conduct induced the conditions complained of.
Judge Sim: It's only a discretionary answer. There's little use, on the evidence, of keeping such people tied to one another.
Mr. Hay: Well, the parties are Catholics, and as such
DIVORCE DOES NOT FREE THEM. It's merely a formal separation according to law.
His Honor: I don't consider that. If your view of his character is correct, apart from anything else, it's a very real reason for granting a decree.
Johanna Trinder, a tasty, stylish little woman, with traces of passable prettiness, said that up to the time she married Charley Trinder she never drank, but he commenced drinking at once. He always brought liquor home with him, and generally a friend, and sometimes three. He brought her a bottle of stout sometimes, and she took it going to bed. Afterwards he came home rather the worse of liquor, and it was at this period her craving came too. When she was living at her father's away from Trinder, the latter would call round, and give her liquor, and take her out sometimes. After returning from Mount Magdalene Home, she met Trinder by appointment in Andrew-street, and the old relations were resumed. But for liquorising she was sent back to St. Magdalene's again by order of the Court this time.
His Honor: Was your husband always the cause of your starting on the liquor? — Not always. Sometimes I got drunk myself.
When she returned from St. Magdalene's the second time, her husband once again gave her the boozy push. She did not remember anything about getting into bed with Ayres with her fancy blouse on. When she awoke in the morning she had her skirt on, and there were three in the bed. She then got up and went home.
His Honor: I suppose you put on some of your clothes before you left? —
I HAD SOME OF THEM ON
His Honor (dropping his under jaw): The police don't say so.
To Irwin: I often bought beer at the grocer's. I did not drink very heavily when with my husband. The first time I was arrested for drunkenness was at the Triangle, after taking out a maintenance order that morning against Trinder. I got the liquor in the Law Courts. For about five weeks I kept house for a man.
What's his name? — Mr. Smoothy.
He's a wharf lumper, isn't he? — He works on the wharf.
Was it not from his house you were next arrested? — It was outside it.
What was the young fellow you visited in Waldron's stables? Young Waldron. I was in a room.
The men's room. What brought you there? — Young Waldron told me the private detectives were watching me.
Where was Ayres when awakened in the morning in his house? — In bed.
With you? — Yes.
Where was Mrs. Ayres? — Lying across the end of the bed.
Asleep? — No, awake.
Mr. Irwin: I daresay she remained awake to see anything that happened.
Are you attached to your husband? — I don't know but I would
DO A LOT FOR MY CHILDREN'S SAKE.
Are you really fond of him? — If he knocked off the liquor I think it would be possible for us to live together again.
Oh, if he knocked it off!
Mark Silverstin, cabinetmaker, who, with his wife, went a-shopping on a Good Friday, said Tinder appeared to him under the influence. He never saw him drunk though.
Mrs. Anne Guilford and Mrs. Dowdy gave evidence of a kind.
Mrs. Doris Ayres, respondent's sister, and wife of the co-respondent, was the next witness. This dame corroborated the Moray-place incident.
Lawyer Irwin said-she had some evidence to offer which would rebut the statement of respondent and-her witnesses, alleging that Trinder went out with his wife continually and plied her with liquor.
His Honor: It will be hardly necessary. I don't place much reliance upon these allegations.
Lawyer Hay pleaded that the conduct of Trinder induced the drunken, immoral conduct of the wife to which "B. S." retaliated that Mrs. Trinder had indeed
LED A DRUNKEN, IMMORAL LIFE, loafing about the streets, which was apparent from the evidence and her own admission. She would not be entitled to claim alimony. His Honor, who was prompt with his decision, said that the petitioner had failed to establish the allegation respecting his wife's habitual neglect of the home, She had no home to look after. There was, however, full and complete evidence to support the charges of drunkenness and adultery. It might be the case that petitioner's conduct in the early years of the marriage may have induced the laxity complained of in respondent, but, if so, it was in a very remote and indirect way. It was highly improbable that petitioner ever took his wife out from time-to time after the reparation and piled her with liquor. This portion of the respondent's evidences did not impress him; in fact, "I don't believe it. Petitioner is entitled to a decree, and I do not think it is a case for alimony. Decree nisi granted, to be made absolute in three months."
His Honor: Do you want costs against co-respondent.
Lawyer Irwin: No, your Honor. I might as well look for wool on a goat. Respondent's costs, £25 were allowed with disbursement for fees of the Court to be fixed by the registrar. The custody of the three children of the marriage has been left for settlement to an agreement between the parties' lawyers. -NZ Truth, 28/11/1914.
TWO LAGGED LADIES
Bella and Johanna
Do a "Bunk" and a Beer Burst
(From' "Truth's" .Dunedin Rep.)
The names of Bella Jolly and Johanna Trinder are known so widely for various unmaidenly doings in the dour town, that they are periodically expected to grace the pedestal in court and relieve the tedium of an otherwise inert routine of petty transactions. Bella has figured no less than twenty two times previously before the bench, and each time she appeared she fell in to her neck. Johanna has had a very abrupt career, and within the space of a few years has developed a rather infeminine reputation for lurid laxity, having, in all, sixteen previous convictions.
Bella Jolly was charged with intoxication, and with running away from the "Blood and Fire" people at Caversham.
Sub-Inspector Broberg remarked.tnat Bella had escaped no less than six times previously. Bella:
DON'T SEND ME TO GAOL, your Worship: I have already done seven months. Give me one more chance. It was my birthday, that lured me out.
Accused wept copiously.
The S.M.: On the charge of drunkenness you are fined 5s, or, in default, 24 hours. You are making it a common practice running away from the Home. I can give you no more chances. You are sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labor.
Johanna Trinder was charged with running away from the Home, drunkenness, and smashing her order.
Johanna: I had to do some business, and not being able to do it otherwise,
I THOUGHT IT NO HARM to go out for an hour or two.
The S.M.: Seeing that you have not run away from the Home previously, I will let you off on that charge. On the charge of drunkenness you are sentenced to seven days' imprisonment, and for breaking your prohibition order you are fined 20s, or, in default, seven days. -NZ Truth, 22/5/1915.
DUNEDIN DIVORCE
When Wife Wins
CHARLES TIMOTHY TRINDER TURNS TO THE OLD LOVE
And Has His Decree Nisi Rescinded
(From "Truth's" Dunedin Rep.) It was just one of those simple cases where the husband, rather late in the day, discovered that his first love, who had been his wife and the mother of his children, was really the only love after all. Indeed, before his decree nisi had run the necessary three months ere it could become absolute, the injured "hubby" was lured back into his old love's arms, and thus his Honor, Mr. Justice Sim was called upon to patch up the marriage bonds and tie them firmer than ever.
The petitioner was Charles Timothy Trinder, cab proprietor; the respondent, Johanna Trinder; the co-respondent, Albert Ayers.
Crown Lawyer W. C. MacGregor applied to have the decree nisi rescinded. Lawyer Irwin appeared for the husband, and Lawyer Hay for the wife.
Mr. MacGregor said he was instructed by the Solicitor-General, owing to certain reports that reached him, to have the decree nisi rescinded. The decree was made on November 24, 1914, the court fixing, at the time, the usual three months ahead. During this period, it appears that the petitioner went to the house where his wife resided and resumed relations with her. These relations existed from April 12 of that year until January of 1917. These were the chief grounds of the motion. The husband had
CONDONED HIS WIFE'S OFFENCE. The second ground, not essential, but infirmative, was that Trinder had, in the course of judicial proceedings for maintenance, confessed that he was the father of a child born to Laura Emily Service, a widow, on February 2, 1916.
Lawyer Irwin said he had appeared for Trinder, but was now instructed to withdraw and take no further proceedings in regard to the decree absolute.
Lawyer Hay: My client says that she simply submits herself to the judgment of the court. That's all she has to say in the matter.
Mrs. Johanna Trinder, the respondent, was then called. She stated that the petitioner, her husband, secured a decree nisi, November 24, 1914. In January, 1917, she became aware that his solicitor had moved to make the decree absolute. A child was born to her on October 28, 1917, the father of which was Charles Trinder.
Mrs. Annie Guildford, sister of the previous witness, corroborated generally. On April 12, 1917, Mr. and Mrs. Trinder came to her house, and Trinder said, "We have made it up." She said she was pleased for the sake of the children.
As authority for the motion, Mr. W. C. MacGregor cited the decision of Mr. Justice Cooper in Jobson v. Jobson, delivered in 1910.
His Honor said that the evidence brought the case within the decision quoted, wherefore the decree nisi would be rescinded and the petition dismissed. No application was made for costs. -NZ Truth, 6/4/1918.
The Trinders did not seek another divorce and presumably lived together, happily and not so happily, as millions of couples do, until Charles died in 1957. Charles is not officially recorded as being buried alongside Johanna - that is, he is mentioned in genealogy pages but not the DCC records as being buried in Dunedin in 1957.
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