From Western Post, 23 February, 1861: Friday, February 22. Beofre Messrs LYONS and MARLEY. George CROFTS charged with assaulting and using improper language to his wife. Amelia CROFTS said that the defendant her husband had only contributed 17s 6d toward the support of herself and children since Christmas, and as she could not starve, she had exerted herself to keep them by taking in washing, and had engaged a woman to help her. A few days since her husband, who was doing no work, came home, and after called her names unfit for publication, said he would allow no more washing to be done in the house, and commenced pulling the clothes off the line upsetting the wash tubs, and said that if she dared to put up her arm to prevent her from doing so he would break it. The landlord of the house had that day applied for the rent, she asked her husband for the amount, he called her a ______ _____ , and she was to pay it herself the best way she could. She said she was quite willing to work for the maintenance of herself and four children, but would not keep her idle husband, who could, if he liked, support his family. CROFT, in defence, said he was willing to support his family, and had given his wife 17s 6d since Christmas. He did not approve of her following the occupation of washing neither did he see that there was any reason for her to annoy him when he came home, with the noise occasioned by ironing when he wanted to go to sleep. If she worked from six in the morning till six at night it was quite long enough. The Bench having tried in vain to reconcile the parties were obliged to dismiss the case on account of there being no evidence as to the assault. The poor woman seemed to be much surprised at the decision. (By consulting a professional man she will find she has her redress, and that the magistrate will do her justice), There was a second case against CROFT for unlawfully assaulting the woman who assisted his wife in her washing. Mary FREEMAN having been sworn, said on the 15th February CROFT came home and ordered her out of the house, as he would have no more washing done. He then upset the tub, threw the clothes all over the place, and pushed her out of the house. Upon asking him for her wage, he said "You ______, if you come here again, I will knock your ______ brains out with this rail", and otherwise used her very roughly. CROFT, in defence, said he had only gently led her to the gate. Complainant not wishing to press the charge, as she had not been much hurt, the case was dismissed, the Magistrates cautioning CROFT against being brought to Court again. ***END*** Annette Piper Please note: Every effort has been to transcribe the above information correctly, however errors may have inadvertently been made. Spelling of surnames/places as appears in original.