RAMA RAMA.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 182, 13 June 1916, Page 3

RAMA RAMA.

ECHO OF THE KAMA KAMA murdek. CHILDREN COMMITTED TO HOME. At a recent sitting ot the Auckland Magistrate's Court application was made to Mr E. C. Cutten, S.M., by tbe police for the live children of the late Mr Thomas Perry, who it will be remembered was murdered some months ago in his bed at his house at Kama Rams, to be committed to a home on the grounds that they were neglected and not under proper control. Mr A. E. Skelton appeared for Mrs Perry, who objected to tbe

application. Atratha Urry, aeivant at Whitebead's Coffee Palace, Cook street, Auckland, stated that for a fortthing Mrs Perry and the children hsd been stopping at the Palace and the children had not been properly cared for. There was an iofact baby, and only twice during the fortnight bad witne-s known of hot water being asked for to wash the baby. Mrs Periy was out every day and the children bad to look after themselves as best they could. A man named Keed frequently called on Mrs Perry. Sergeant Waterman said that when Mrs Perry was living in Kandoljih street, Newton, complaints Were made by neighbours about the general conduct of the cihldren and the way they were neglected. Witness visited the house several times and found the house in a filthy condition. It was devoid of turniture, there being only one bed and one cup in the house. In the "children's bedroom" were two filthy dirty blankets only. The result of what he saw he reported to the District Health Department. Plain-clothes Constable McHugh said he had noticed the children, and had spoken to their mother about their filthy condition, but the mother seemed to think they were all right, although she said most of their clothes had gone aßtray. For live days, at least twice a day, witness had called at the Coffee Palace, but each time Mrs Perry had been out..

Adjutant Gordon, of the Salvation Army, aaid tbat in her opinion the children were not under proper care and control.

The mother, Ameila Perry, said tbat op till a fortnight previously she had been on a farm at New Lynn, but then came into Auckland and put up at the Coffee Palace, she was endeavouring to get another farm, and had made arrangements to go to Taupaki on a farm. The reason she was out when Constable McHugh culled was because she was visiting land ugents. The children may have looked a bit untidy lately but that was because their clothes had been lost. They were washed and cleaned and well looked after, and would also be looked after when she took up tarming at Taupaki. Asked by the Sub-Inspector Mcllveney if it were not a fact that she bad been living at New Lynn under the name of Mrs Keei! she would not answer. The two boys had already been committed to the Wcraroa training farm, but she was (jintc capable of lookirg after the others.

The Magistrate committed the live children to the Auckland Industrial School, whereupon Mrs Perry remarked, V' It you take them away I will do away with myself."