Parents' Heartlessness.

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 156, 15 October 1872, Page 6

Parents' Heartlessness.

At the Mayor's Court, Dunedin, on Friday, 4th inst., Archibald Williamson, aged eiglv years, Alexander Williamson, sis years, Edgar Williamson, four years, and Herbert Wbliamson, two and a half years—four very tidy looking children—were brought up before the Bench as neglected ones.—Sergeant Mallard said that every effort had been made by the police to prevent their becoming a burden on the State ; but those efforts had been rendered futi'e by the parents of the children absconding. In the first instance, a certain sum of money was left hy Mr Brough, their father, with Mrs Reid in order that they might be provided for. After that money was expended, Mrs Reid brought the children to the police station, and then it was seen they were likely to become a burden to the State. The Commissioner at ones communicated with Mr Brough, and ano her sum of money was remitted. Subsequently Mr Brough came to town, and left a sum of money in the hands of Mr M'Fee for their maintenance. A Mrs Cotterel kindly stepped forwa d and said by the payment of so much per week she would take charge of the children. She had done so, but no money had been recived from Melbourne ns promised, and they were consequently brought up as neglected children.—His Worship would simply say .that it was a great pity that the law should be so defective that the parents of children should be able to escape the keeping of them. The children were sent to the Industrial School for a term of seven years, to be instructed in the Church of England faith.