Outspoken Remarks.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3599, 18 November 1905, Page 2

Outspoken Remarks.

dr McArthur, s.m., on a CASE OF VAGRANCY.

The young girl charged with vagrancy who was brought before a Bench of Justices at Wellington on Wednesday, and remanded for a day in order that Dr McArthur might deal with her, appeared before his Worship in his private room on Thursday morning. The girl’s career during the past twelve months was explained by J>ub-Inapector O’Donovan. A Sister 'from St. Mary’s Home (Anglican), Karori, said she was willing to take charge of the girl. “ Look at the handful you will have,” said Dr McArthur. “I do not want to stop you from trying to do good, but I really don’t think she should go to your institution.” Here the girl’s mother and grandmother pleaded for her admittance, saying the girl was not as bad as she had been made sut. Mothers came down here and say they can’t do anything with their girls; and immediately they are charged, they turn round and say they are not as black as they are painted. “ I cannot commit her to this institution, be* cause I have no authority,” was the Magistrate’s reply. “ She is of respectable parents,” pleaded the mother* “ Well, then, she is not to be pitied at all. Girls less fortunate can be pitied,” was the retort, “If 1 allow her to be sent to the Karori Home it will only be deferring the evil day.” “ We are willing to try her,” put in the Sister; “ but we would not take her for a less period than two years,” “ She will no more stop with you for two years than she will fly. The next thing we would hear of her would be her leaving for Sydney with some man. She would taint a whole district. Te Orangi Home is the place for her.” As the girl is over sixteen vears, Dr McArthur could not commit her to the Home. When over that age commitments to industrial schools cannot be made. SSe was, therefore, sentenced to fourteen days’ imprisonment, but the Government is to be recommended to have her admitted to Te Orangi Home.