A DISTRESSING CASE.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2021, 16 August 1880, Page 3

A DISTRESSING CASE.

The “New Zealand Times’’ gives the following outline of a very strange and sad tale as to the mode of life of a family living at Porirua, which was told by the chairman of the Hutt County Council, at the meeting of that body on Tuesday. Mr Taylor stated that for several years a family named Edwards had lived in a hut of the most primitive kind. The walls of the structure consisted of logs that had been rolled into position, and on these were placed a number of rafters, which supported a shaky roof made of hinau bark. The inner side of this habitation was even more uninviting. It consisted of a single room without the slightest sign of a partition or furniture of any kind. There were no bed clothes, and the floor was covered over with a quantity of sacks ripped open at the sides, and this took the place of all bedding. And in this hovel lives, a family consisting of a married couple and six of their offspring. When interrogated as to their mode of life, the heads of the family gave replies which were satisfactory in their way. Edwards gets work now and then, but generally spends his earnings. One of the sons, a big strapping fellow, and a good workman; contributes something towards the requirements of the household, bub beyond this nothing appears to be done towards gaining a living. The whole family was described as being most remarkably stupid, so much so that the lad just mentioned and a girl of about sixteen are represented as scarcely knowing whether they say “yea” or “no.” As to education, even the existence of such a thing ns a school in the neighborhood appears to be unknown to them ; and, besides that, all the children are quite incapable of learning. When asked whether they were ever short of food, the woman replied, “ Sometimes,” but was interrupted by her husband, who said that it was only while he was building the “house.” As to clothes, they are supplied by some kind neighbors. It was further stated that several of Edwards’ relatives had died in the lunatic asylum. The Council authorised the chairman to purchase some rugs for use as bedclothes. Mr Taylor adds that Edwards came to Wellington in 1841,