A PITIABLE CASE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 1, Issue 156, 23 September 1880, Page 2

A PITIABLE CASE.

(From the Auckland Herald-) A pitiable case was brought before the Police Magistrate one day last week, for the consideration of the magistrate and the police, as to how it was to be dealt with. During the previous night Constable -r McConnell found a wretched young woman named Ellen Glenn, seated on a doorstep in the street. She had a poor:little infant, seven weeks old, in her arms, and both were numbed with cold. The ’ ; constable escorted them to the guardroom, ; where they were soon enjoying the heat ' . of a good log fire, and wrapped up with blankets, and the constable pitying the L condition of the poor little starveling, whose mother had no nourishment for. it, . proceeded in search of milk, and was fortunate enough to find some. The unfortunate girl was brought up in Court, and charged under the Vagrant Act with having no lawful visible means of support, and then her pitiable story came out. She is rather weak in intellect, and while in service at Piako was seduced by some scoundrel. She became enceinte, and had to leave her employment. She came to Auckland, and was cared for by the Ladies’ Benevolent Society until after her confinement, when efforts were made to procure her employment. Owing, perhaps, to the state of her intellect she' was not successful. In a hopeless and careworn manner she admitted that she . had no means of support, and no friends . who would take her in hand. She was Auckland-born, and had a married sister in Tauranga, but she did not think it any use to apply to her for assistance. Mr. Graham, the Relieving Officer, was applied to, and had a long consultation with ,-f 1 the magistrate, but could suggest no means for the relief of the girl, and Mr. Barstow having no other resource .was obliged to commit her to prison, much against his inclination. The girl isina truly wretched state, and will no doubt bo improved by the cleansing of her person, and the very wholesome treatment which she will receive there.