Days of future past

In Hamilton, in 1929, six months before the beginning of the Great Depression, a man’s attempts to contest his late wife’s will went horribly wrong.

A judge’s wrath ensured that Alfred Jones became a national laughing stock.

Jones was a widower with seven dependant children when he married Miss Catherine Mildred Cummings in

1900.

A cobbler by trade, Jones was struggling to make ends meet.

Miss Cummings, who was in her mid40s, somewhat older than he, was by contrast an entrepreneur, who had for many years run a successful drapery and boot business in Matamata.

Through thrift and hard work the Cummings’ fortune stood at eleven thousand pounds.

Jones was suddenly on the pig’s back and he knew it.

Under his influence, the new wife purchased a two thousand pound house in Hamilton East as well as a block of five shops valued at fifteen hundred pounds.

The section adjacent to the house was acquired and a further dwelling erected, where Jones’ eldest son was to live rent free.

Jones himself gave up cobbling and converted one of the Hamilton East properties into a billiard saloon.

When that failed he relocated the business to Paeroa.

In 1924 Jones was in a motor accident, one that severely injured his right hand. Suing for damages, he won 900 pounds.

It settled the matter of early retirement. Deciding to work no more, Jones devoted himself to two pursuits: going to the races and playing lawn bowls. Despite his injury, much success was enjoyed on the greens.

He travelled to tournaments in Wellington, Tauranga, Rotorua and Te Awamutu, staying away weeks at a time. When home, the equine arts held his attention.

78 race cards were later found in the room of a house he vacated.

It came as a rude shock when Catherine died and it was discovered that she had completely disinherited her indolent spouse. Unfortunately, in court Jones’ claims of poverty were deemed to be ‘‘economical with the truth’’.

‘‘There is nothing more degrading than loafing’’ said the judge, dismissing the suit and instructing Jones to find a job.