BOY HELD TO BE A GIRL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1262, 23 June 1914, Page 4

BOY HELD TO BE A GIRL.

BIRTH CERTIFICATE COMEDY.

A Holloway boy, “Oily” Baker, was in a curious position until a few weeks ago. He found it impossible to obtain employment because his birth certificate falsely described him as a girl by name Olive, but the RegistrarGeneral has now rectified the mistake.

Mrs Baker explained how the original error occurred. “The boy was born at Christmas, 1899,” she said, “and I wanted to give him the seasonable name ol Holly, which I understood was suitable for either boy or girl. Well, when I registered the birth the registrar must have thought I meant Olive, and I was confused by thinking he was speaking to another woman who was present. Not being a scholar, I didn’t notice the mistakes that were in the certificate, and, in fact, they didn’t come to light until Oily tried to get employment a few weeks ago.’’

The lad secured two situations, but, unfortunately, the same doctor confronted him and rejected the certificate. “That belongs to your sister,” said the doctor; “it won’t do.” Thereupon Mrs Baker communicated with the registrar, who referred the matter to Somerset House.

Oily’s trouble was not easily concluded, however, for the officials wanted the midwife who attended the birth to testify as to the sex, and the midwife was unable to recollect the case.

Nevertheless, the masculinity of Oily Baker has now been accepted by the Registrar-General, and an intimation to that effect has been conveyed to the St. Panctas authorities.