The Staffordshire and Potteries Examiner. — 1880-11-13 (Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England)

COMICAL DIVORCE SUIT.  ;n the Probate and Divorce Division of the High Court of J notice, the suit of "Smithies v. Smithies" rain before the Right Hon. Sir James Hannon, at Weitminster. It was a suit instituted by the husband for the restitution of conjugal rights, which the respondent opposed on the ground of cruelty. Mr. Keogh appeared for Mrs. Smithies and Mr. Searle for the husband.—Mr. Searle said the petitioner had last term given his evidence in support of the }Millen, but the Cane was adjourned in order that the wife might give evidence as to cruelty committed towards her by the petitioner.—Mr. Keogh thought it would be best he should at once call Mrs. Smithies, and leave the lady to tell her own tale. Ile ought, however, say that the petitioner formerly carried on a beershop in Oldham, and thit as the lady contended, the juvitioner was the person most in fault. —Mrs. Smithies, a tiil and rather good-looking woman, entired the box.—Mr. Keogh: You ale the respondent ? Witness : I'm what; (Laughter.) I don't understand you. You don't speaks° as I can mulorstand.—Mr. Keogh: I'll try again. You were itarried to the petitioner? Mrs. Smithies: Yes, rare—Sir J. Hannen flow old was lie? Witiicsr Well, Id. Sir J. Hannon : And you? Wane,. : ' Well, I'm now GO, and the marriage was about six years ago.—Mr. Keogh: Did your husband emit- , plain of your being inattentive : Witness: What? ! I don't understand. I only understand plain speaking. (Laughter.)—Mr. Keogh: You had better, :Mrs. Smithies, toll your own story —The lady then, int markedLancushiredialect,proceededamid considerable laughter to tell her troubles. She said it was herself who was the suffering party. Petitioner had struck her frequently, and he had accused her of being drunk.—Mr. Keogh: He has given you a blear eye and struck you on many occasions? Respondent : Yes, he has. Be struck me once in the Cockhouse-fold. (Laughter.) —Mr. Keogh: In what ? (Laughter.) Respondent: Why, Coekhouse Fold. (Laughter.) On another occasion I had gone to bed, left loose back door, left supper in oven, good lire burning, and gas alight. , Liu raise home late, and made noise outside. I got tip to window and sung out, •` Rack door's loose." lie hollered out, "It wasn't." I wont down to front door, when he hit use with his stick—with his walking stick—and followed me upstairs. Ile got laold of me by the hair, and, getting me on his ioulder, put me downstairs—with nothing on, mind ye (Loud laughter.) He then gave me a blow which made my eye black from top to bottom. iii another occasion I was going to church, jnul when in the churchyard the petitioner . threw a bag of soot at me—Mr. Searle: Hadn't you previously thrown a bag of flour over him ? It.spondent. Ah, yes, I did. (Laughter.) Mr. Searle: I believe you are in the receipt of £2OO ,or 4:300 per annum? Respondent wish I was. (Langhter.) You see I have a bit of cottage property, and it brings me about £3O. Cottage property is now of very uncertain Valle. (Laughter.) I object to • again reside with petitioner.—Mr. Robert Smithies ' denied striking the respondent, but admitted throw' ing the met at her in the chunhyard.' She had sortie time before thrown a bag of dour at him and spoiled his new blue coat—Sir J. Hannen said it appeared that the petitioner thought throwing soot was teat •, cruelty, but that was not so. As the respondent had "irought more corroborative evidence than the petijoner, he should make a decree for judicial &opera;ion, but without costs.  The Hon. R. E. S. Plunkett has returned from South America.  The Government of India has decided to press on with all dispatch the fortification of the principal military poato along the frontier, -. • • ..  ' A The proprietor cd the pupa which published the forged letters of General Garfield, has declared that it reached him by post, although he OM unable to say from whom it ram..  An ex-Customs officer named Elscome, who was seventy-five years of age, has committed suicide, at Bristol.  A crowded meeting has been held at the Colston Hall, Bristol, in support of women's mdfrage. There were about 3,000 women present.  The ironclad purchased out of the vote of credit at the time of the Turkish war, has left Chatham to augment the Mediterranean fleet..