A MUSICAL GINX’S BABY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5262, 4 February 1878, Page 3

A MUSICAL GINX’S BABY.

One of the moat remarkable disputes for the possession of a child that has occurred since King Solomon delivered his famous judgment is recorded' in the Melbourne papers to hand by the last mail. Some mouths ago Australian musical circles were greatly excited by the extrordinary performances on the pianoforte of a six-year-old child named Ernest Hutcheson, who soon became better known as the “ Australian Mozart.” Amongst those who took special interest in the boy was the well-known artcritic Mr. James Smith, who, it will he remembered, lectured in Dunedin a few years ago ; and it is stated that the eminent spiritualist undoubtingly believes that young Hutcheson is no other than the great Mozart re-inoarnated. When Mr. R. S. Smythe returned to Melbourne from England last August, Mr. Smith brought the “infant Mozart ” under the notice of “ the most travelled manager” as a genius who only wanted to be properly brought out to create a world-wide sensation. Being associated m business with the Rev. Charles Clark, Mr. Smythe was not in a position to comply with Mr. Smith's wishes ; but, having recently heard most of the musical prodigies in the old and new world, including the famous slave pianist, “Blind Tom," he went to hear Ernest Hutcheson. He came away from the recital firmly convinced that the boy was the greatest musical wonder of the age. As such he recommended him to the care of the favorite vocalist Miss Christian, who is as well known in Australia for her kind heart and charitable disposition as for her charming singing. At the same time, out of consideration for the child’s tender years, Mr. Smythe strongly advised that he should be kept from performing in public for at least twelve months. This wise counsel the parents agreed to follow ; but it was not before long serious differences arose on the point. The father, who is a blacksmith by trade, believed that his gifted boy was worth a king’s ransom, and there seemed to be some danger of the goose being killed for the sake of its golden eggs ; the mother, on the other hand, objected to engagements being rnado for the child, and wished the harmonious blacksmith to return to his anvil. The quarrels between the parents now became so violent that they separated, and then commenced the struggles as to who should have possession of this new Ginx’a baby.

Mr. Hutcheson, having given the child jhis musical training, considers I that; outside any legal claim he might have, this fact entitled him to its custody ; and iu the exercise of this right it was rumored that he intended t» take the child to San Francisco for the purpose of letting him to Barnum or some other Yankee speculator. The fear of losing her “marvellous boy” caused the mother the most poignaut grief ; and in the end, her maternal affection overcoming shame and all other considerations, she confessed to Miss Christian thatthechildwas illegitimate. This avowal compl tely changed the situation. Miss Christian, who from the first had done her best- to prevent the child’s faculties from being overstrained, and to carry out her-benevolent intention had advanced a considerable sum of money to the Hutchesons, determined to prevent the child from being ruined by the father’s unnatural greed. After consulting a solicitor, she persuaded the mother to ap-dy for a writ of habeas corpus, directing the father to produce the ohi’d before a Judge in chambers. Oa the 11th inst. the case came on for hearing before the Chief Justice. In the course of his affidavit the ’ father made the following extraordinary statement : “ That, although only six years and a half old, the child before the Court can play the violin, accordeon, pianoforte, and organ. He can sing and compose music, and he has composed fifteen composition of a lengthened character. When four years and nine ' months old he could play on the piano upwards of 300 compositions, and can now answer any question in the science of harmony.” In giving his decision, Sir William Stawell held that the child, being illegitimate, the mother was the person entitled to its legal custody, and the child was accordingly surrendered by the father to the mother, Rosiua Brown. It is stated that, after a short tour, Miss Christian intends to send the Australian Mozart to England that his musical education may be finished at the Royal Academy of Music, of which institution the accomplished vocalist was a pupil. It is only just to add that in her efforts on the child’s behalf Miss Christian was. warmly supported by the Rev. Fletcher H. Long, a Church of England clergyman living in Melbourne.