A WOMAN IN A SAD PLIGHT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9341, 9 January 1909, Page 5

A WOMAN IN A SAD PLIGHT.

Per Press Association. Christchurch, January 8. A baby was born on the steamer Mararoa yesterday morning while the vessel was travelling from Wellington to Lyttelton, under circumstances that seem to call for an inquiry. The mother Is a young married woman who was deserted by her husband in Nelson some months ago. She was in receipt of charitable aid in Nelson, it is stated, but under the system that has previously produced recriminations amongst: charitable aid boards, she was sent to Wellington, when the birth of the child was imminent. But relief was not forthcoming in Wellington, and after some delay somebody paid the woman’s steamer fare as far as Lyttelton, and she left on Wednesday night, apparently without any definite arrangements being made for her reception. The baby was born during the night. The police were informed of its birth on the arrival of the steamer at Lyttelton yesterday morning. The woman seems to have been tola she could go to the Samaritan Home and the authorities of that institution were communicated with by telephone. They replied that they could notj-take a woman and child in the home, it being intended for persons of quite another class, and not for those who were destitute. The Secretary of the Charitable Aid Board was also communicated with, but meanwhile the Salvation Army stepped in and the mother and child were provided with a temporary abiding place by that organisation in. its Maternity Home.