TAINTED SURROUNDINGS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14887, 29 January 1914, Page 4

TAINTED SURROUNDINGS.

CHILDREN COMMITTED TO A l._-(.____y_SU HOME. On Friday last a case presenting sonic unusual features, was heard beiore .Mr T. A. ii. bailey, S.M. Two girls, aged fourteen anu ten years re--poctiveiy, and a boy aged one year, wero charged with being children not under proper control, and the case was adjourned to allow ot tho police making further enquiries as to the nature of the houso Kept by tho mother of the two eider children. The case was proceeded with before Mr T. A. B. Bailey, S.M., yesterday, Senior-Sergeant Mathieson prosecuting, and Mr A. T. Donnelly, appearing for the mother ot the youngest accused. The Senior-Sergeant stated that the police had had very great difficulty in finding ( out iron the neighbours any information bearing on the case. Mr Rulo had also mado enquiries, he said. Mr Rule leaned over tho Bench, and whispered in the Magistrate's ear. The reporters could not hear tho statements he had to make regarding the caso, neither could the Senior-Sergeant, counsel, nor tho parties immediately cone rned, and, who, presumably, ought to have had opportunity of hearing. The Senior-Sergeant: So far as tho baby is concerned, it is very, y.ang, and it must bo years before it could bo polluted. The mother is to bo married in a day or two, and that will put the matter right. Mr Rulo suggested that the • girl, after she was married, should report to him. Mr Donnelly said ho did not think the Court could make an order conditional upon a.person marrying or not marrying. Mr Rule said ho only made the suggestion in the interests of the girl: that she -should not havo to go near the police station after she was married. The Father _.I object to these children going away. They have always been well looked after. The Magistrate: The atmosphere of your house is such that it is not good for these children to remain with you. The Father: It's only since their mother bad charge of them. Tho Magistrate: "What religion are you ?—Oh, I'm any religion—Church of Eneland. What do you earn ?—lt's hard to say. I do a bit ofdealinc:, buying and selling on commission, labouring lately. You'll havo to pay five shillings a week in support of each of the two a-irls.;—l question whether I can jay it. The girls were accordingly committed to a rccpivin-r, home to bo brought un in the Church of England faith, and (he case against the infant was adjourned.