JUVENILE COURT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 33, 3 November 1919, Page 6

JUVENILE COURT

A VERY SAD STORY. A sad story was told in t lie Juvcnilo Court on Saturday morning, when an application was made by the police to Mr. E. Page, S.M., for the committal of nino small children, whose ages ranged from an infant six months old to a young girl 1G years of age, to a receiving homo. The juvenile probation officer, who was present, stated that the father of t'ho family, which totalled ten, had had a very haril struggle to hold his own during tho past seven or eight years, and tho struggle was mado more difficult by tlie fact that the mother of tho family was more or less of an invalid. Some" little time ago tho bread-winnor lost his position, which ho had held for 15 years, he having been replaced by a returned soldier who was receiving a lower wage. Allegations of insobriety had been made against the man, but he (the probation oiiiccr) had known the family intimately for a long time, and had seen nothing to warrant the allegation. A few days ago tho family were turned out of their homo and left without money or shelter. The probation officer, at tho request of tho Inspector of Police, visited tho family and found them living in a dressing-room at tho Athletic Park. There was 110 furniture ami no conveniences whatever, and no provision for the welfare of the children. The shed was a shelter, and that was the most that could bo said. He was of opinion that the application made by the polico was in the best interests of tho children. Ono boy 17 years of age was able to fend for himself, and consequentlie application did not include him. The Magistrate granted the application and added that when (he father obtained a suitable position and was able lo provide another home there would bo 110 objection to the children returning to him. Acting-Senior Sergeant Wade snid there was no intention to ask for maintenance.