“JACK WELLINGTON.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 879, 16 August 1910, Page 3

“JACK WELLINGTON.”

CHRISTENED BY MAGISTRATE. A MOTHER’S PATHETIC BETTER. The atmosphere of extreme solemnity which at all times invests the conduct of business carried on in the Magistrate’s Court was intensified on Saturday morning to almost a degree of pathos, says the N, Z. Times, when a babe, not more than a month old, which had been deserted by its parents and left on the doorstep of the Wellington Receiving Home, was brought before Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M., ;and formally|charged with being a child with insufficient means of support within the meaning of the Industrial Schools Act, 1908. The case—novel and picturesque though pathetic—was heard in the Magistrate’s private room, and was not open to the general public. Chief-Detective Broberg stated that the child was found about 8 o’clock on Wednesday night by Miss Rnndle on the doorstep of the Wellington Receiving Home. The child was well nourished and warmly clad, and apparently only a month old. There was nothing about the babe that would serve as a clue to its parentage, and all efforts of the police in that direction had, up to the present, proved fruitless. Miss Rundle, matron of the Receiving Home, gave evidence relative to finding the babe on the doorstep of the home. It was a male child, well-grown and healthy, and in her opinion not more than five weeks old. Pinned to its clothing was the following letter: — “Wellington, August 10th.

Mrs Dick, —being unable to afford to keep my darling baby boy, I am leaving it in your good care, to take charge of it till I call for it, which I hope will be soon. I would like you to call him Jack Wellington. I feel I will have him back some day when I can afford it. At present it is impossible for me to do this, lam going away, and you will hear from me later on. It breaks my heart to part with baby for a time, but how can a poor mother keep and rear the darling as God would wish ? May God guide him in his path and bless the dear soul! When I am away I will always be thinking of my darling Jack, but shall know he is well looked after by Mrs Dick's home. It is only on account of poor circumstances that causes me to leave the dear little chap in your care. When I come back I shall call and see you. From a Fond and Brokenhearted Mother.” The letter, which was in pencil, was written in a bold round hand on ordinary tablet note-paper and addressed to Mrs Dick, manageress ol the Wellington Receiving Horae. His Worship ordered the child to be committed to the Wellington Receiving Home, and that it be named “ Jack Wellington ” as suggested in the mother’s letter. As regards religion his Worship suggested the Church of England, but Chief-Detective Broberg said that Mrs Dick wished the child to be brought up in the Presbyterian faith as she knew a party of that religion who would give the babe a good home. His Worship remarked that he had no objection to any form of religion, and he ordered the child to be trained to the Presbyterian faith. Mr Holmes (Clerk of the Court) ; Will your Worsgip fix the child’s age ? His Worship : Four weeks old to-day.