RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Evening Star, Issue 3724, 29 January 1875, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Friday, January 28.

(Before J. Bathgate, Esq., R.M,)

Drunkenness. —William Kennedy was discharged with a caution. Vagrancy. —Margaret Millar was charged on remand with having no lawful means of support. —The charge had been adjourned at the request of the accused in order that she might call evidence to prove that she gained herjhying by washing —A witness was called, and, in answer to his Worship, said she was a prostitute, whereupon his Worship said—lf a woman is a prostitute and follows that line of life she is not deserving of credit as a witness. 1 cannot believe a word she says if she goes into that witness-box.—There being no other witnesses, his Worship said he considered the case proved, and sent the accused to gaol for the full term of three mouths imprisonment.

A Ao Case. —Mary Elizabeth (9), Louisa (6). Eliza Jane (3), and Joseph (6 months) ictwell, were charged with being negl-cted children.—Sergeanc Anderson said that the mother was of very drunken habits, and the • hiidren were sadiy neglected, ;be eldest girl was frequently sent out for drink by the mother, who lives in a brothel off Walker street The fither was away, and the money the wife had was the proceeds of prostitution of the other women living in the house with her,—His Worship (addressing the mother) : It is a very hopeless matter speaking to you. A mother who wou d do such a—l cannot use a strong enough word —as to allow these little children to live in a brothel The mother : They do not. His Worship ; Don’t say another word. You are, apparently, an abandoned woman. Any mother that would be guilty of such fearful conduct is past speaking to. The officer has sworn that you are an abandoned, drunken woman. Thb children will be taken from yon to try and save them, and every effort must be made through the police to find the father, and Mr Britton will proceed against him so that he may be sent to gaol. You don’t deserve to be entrufted with the custody of the child—which also will be removed from you. You are a bad woman, and I cannot speak too strongly to you. You must be made sensible of the enormity of your wickedness. Nothing good can come out of a drunken woman. To the constable : Take them all away from that woman.— The mother: I won’t part with th ■> baby that sucks at my breast —His Worship {lt must be taken from you.—’l he eldest girl was sent to the Industrial School for five years; the others for seven : to bo brought up in the Church of rngland persuasion.—lnspector Mallard promised that every effort should be made to secure the father.