PERSONAL ITEMS
Privates H. T. Gould, W. Cooksey, and Robinson, who have been on service in Samoa, have arrived in Nelson. The two first-named have been discharged as medically unfit, and Private Robinson is on furlough. -Nelson Evening Mail, 11/3/1918.
MAGISTRATE’S COURT.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1919. (Before Mr J. S. Evans, S.M.)
APPLICATION FOR SEPARATION ORDER
At the Court this morning, Annie Cooksey applied for a separation order against her husband, William Cooksey, on the ground of failing to provide her with adequate maintenance for the last 6 months.
Mr Hayes appeared for the complainant and Mr W. O. Harley for defendant.
It was mentioned that there was also an alleged assault case pending.
Mr Hayes said complainant did not ask for maintenance, as she could support herself, but wanted to be left alone.
The Magistrate said that mere failure to maintain was not sufficient grounds for a separation order.
Mr Hayes said that defendant had been warned not to come to complainant’s house, but had persisted, and was consequently put out by her son, in consequence of which defendant had laid an information for alleged assault against her son. This was an explanation of the fact that she wanted a separation order.
All witnesses were ordered out of court.
In evidence, the complainant said she was married to defendant 25 years ago last August in Nelson. She was not living with her husband at present. Defendant left her on 3rd February, 1910. She was living with her children on her own property. During the last six months defendant had not contributed to her support. Defendant had gone away from her for a fortnight because he was ill, and did not come back. Defendant went to Samoa, but made her no allotment; but after his return she obtained a pension last April of £1 a week, which she was still drawing. She applied for the pension. When defendant returned from Samoa last March defendant paid her a visit for about two hours, and since then he had come to her frequently, and had threatened her with violence. She warned him not to come near the house again. On 27th of September last defendant again came to her place, and she asked him in. At about 11 o’clock at night she told defendant he could not stay there any longer; but he said he would, not go. She sent her daughter, for the assistance of a neighbour, as she was afraid to stay with him all night. They tried to push defendant out, but could not, and defendant slept on the floor. Defendant and her neighbour sat up all night in the kitchen. Defendant stayed on until 3 o’clock next day, when he left of his own accord. On 5gth inst, defendant again came to her house, when he was civil enough, went away with her son. Witness had left the house on this occasion before defendant did. On the following Saturday afternoon, defendant again came back, and was put by her son, to which she acquiesced. Witness heard defendant say he had come up to defy his son to put him out. She saw them falling on the lawn together, and later she saw them walking down the road.
To Mr Harley: Her husband had been medically treated for chest complaint previously to his going away for a fortnight’s holiday. She had received no help from him since. She had obtained one allotment from defendant which, however, was returned after she received the separation allowance. Defendant had asked her to draw his arrears of pensions, but she refused, as she wanted nothing more to do with him. Physically, her husband appeared to be strong enough; twice he had attempted to strike her, and she was frightened of physical violence from him.
Olive Cooksey, spinster, daughter of the last witness, with whom she is living, corroborated in the main her mother's evidence.
The Magistrate, at this stage, remarked that defendant had taken upon himself to force himself upon people, and he thought that, in the circumstances it was a case for a separation order.
Defendant, in evidence, said he left home nine years ago under medical advice. It took him all his time to keep himself as he was frequently too unwell to work. He was a member of a Friendly society and this helped him along. He had written to his wife and she knew of his circumstances and was receiving lodge money. He had worked all over New Zealand, but in every case he broke down and had to leave his job. He joined the Samoan Relief Force. The doctor had passed him as fit for France, but he was over the age. He had paid insurance premiums for his children; the premiums had matured and his children had received the money - about L15 each. He had also been paying an insurance premium for his eldest child but he had been unable to keep this up and handed it over to his child. He made over his allotment to his sister because his wife had not treated him fairly. His wife was receiving a life pension of £1 a week, and he himself £8 13s 4d a month. He was paying 35s for his board. His health was bad, and he required special treatment and diet. His wife had refused to apply for £65 back pension money, and also to accept £5 10s a month horn the Commissioner of Pensions. He had never attempted to strike his wife.
To Mr Hayes: He had no ill-will against his wife, and no complaint to make against her. He had been back from Samoa nearly two years, and had been under military medical treatment ever since. His wife had never objected to him personally. He wanted to go back to his wife.
In answer to the Magistrate, who pointed out that defendants wife and family did not want anything to do with him, defendant said he was entitled to a home. He said his family had had the benefit of £200 from him since he had returned from Samoa.
This was all the evidence.
The application for a separation order was granted.
Esric Lockmore Cooksey charged with assaulting his father, the defendant in previous case, by forcibly ejecting him from the house of of Mrs Cooksey. Mr W. C. Harley appeared for the informant, and Mr Hayes for defendant, who pleaded guilty. After hearing evidence, the Magistrate convicted and fined defendant 20s, and ordered him to pay £1 1s costs. -Nelson Evening Mail, 24/11/1919.
Esric Lockmore Cooksey was charged by his father, William Cooksey, with assault. Mr. W. C. Harley appeared for complainant, and Mr. J. P. Hayes for defendant, who pleaded not guilty.
Complainant, who was. recently separated from his wife, in evidence said that when he went to where he previously resided in Hampden street to get his chattels, his wife told him that there was nothing belonging to him there. He then telephoned for the police, and Constable O'Neill arrived. Some discussion took place in regard to the chattels, and Mrs. Cooksey and defendant took the constable on one side. Witness said he stopped up to listen to the conversation, when his son struck him on the shoulder with his hand, and told him to get out.
Constable O'Neill, called by complainant, said that when defendant called him aside, Cooksey rushed over and asked him what he was talking to his son for. Defendant put his hand on complainant's shoulder and told him to stand back. Defendant did not strike him.
The Magistrate, in dismissing the information, said that there was a direct contradiction of evidence between complainant and his witness. He was quite satisfied that nothing in the nature of a blow was struck. Costs amounting to £1 6s 6d were allowed against complainant. -Colonist, 6/12/1919.
The death occurred at Nelson yesterday of Mr William Cooksey, at the age of 53 years. He saw war service at Samoa. He was a brother of Mrs Saunders, Turamaha Street. -Greymouth Evening Star, 12/7/1923.
NELSON RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION
MEMBERS are advised that the funeral of their late fellow-member, William Cooksey, will leave Mrs Cooksey's residence, Hampden street West, at 2 o'clock TO-MORROW Afternoon for the Nelson Cemetery.
MAITAI LODGE, No. 15, U.A.O.D.
MEMBERS of the Order are respectfully invited to attend the funeral of our late Bro. W. Cooksey, which will leave the residence of Mrs A, Cooksey, 11 Hampden street West. TO-MORROW (Thursday) Afternoon at 2 o'clock. -Nelson Evening Mail, 11/7/1923.
William Cooksey was discharged form the Army as medically unfit and suffering with pulmonary tuberculosis. It is possible that he died of this condition.
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