A DUBIOUS DAME.

NZ Truth, Issue 140, 22 February 1908, Page 6

A DUBIOUS DAME.

A Mother is Mixed m Family Matters. This is the case of a woman who didn't know.; a mother who was ,years out of things as regards dates aud domesticity ; a woman who is , destitute and who asks one of her four sons to support -her. A son who says he is unable to do so, and who makes some strange and curious allegations of a family character, m a letter to Magistrate Bishop at Ohristchurch'. Susy Steele, the , mother, asked for maintenance, \ and was pretty vehement m her denunciation of her offspring — principally because she seemed to Know hanged little about him. What's his age ? asked the S.M. I really don't exactly know. Is he young or middle-aged ?— I couldn't tell you. And yet you are his mothtr ; that's strange ?— Well, all I know is that he was 23 years of age when he got married, and he has been fl/e years married. \ The S.M. : But he says m this letter that he has been over nine yeais marriedj and that his first child is

of that age, vaiid that his youngest is nine months.- So you see : you are ALL WRONG ABOUT MATTERS.— Well, I don't know when he got married. How many of a famiily have you ? —Four sons and two daughters. I am at present living with ray son-in-law. The S.M. said that her son had a sickly wife and five children, and was not m a position to pay her anything: i "Wfell, I know that he is m a good position, and that ii other people can get ; maintenance ovder-s 'I 1 should," said the woman. The S.M. : According- to this letter there are sonip grave family matters referred to. If these statements are made on oath, I won't make any order. The case will be adjourned for four weeks m order that the needed 'evidence may. be procured from Auckland. "--' -