VICTIMS OF “BOYCOTTING.”

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2498, 23 March 1881, Page 4

VICTIMS OF “BOYCOTTING.”

In the course of the business before the Lambeth Court, on Jan. 4, a ladylike person, giving the name of Burchell, attended before Mr Chance, with regard to her boy, aged twelve years. Mr Iremonger, the officer of the School Board, was also present, and according to the statement made, by Mrs Burchell, it appeared that she and her husband, who was an aged gentleman, had been in a very good position up to within some few months back. They had property in Ireland, but for a long time had failed to receive any rents, and were powerless to get new tenants. They had gradually to part with furniture, jewellery, &c., in order to maintain themselves. The boy now before the Court had been to a good boarding school, but owing to the reverses in their position he had to be taken away and placed at a Board School. Here, however, he behaved in such a manner that the authorities were forced to expel him. — Mr Iremonger said he had made inquiries with regard to the case, and was satisfied of the truth of the statements made. There was evidently the wreck of what once formed a portion of a good home. — Mr Chance said it was a sad story, and no doubt the best thing for the boy would be for him to go to a school.—The mother said be had got quite beyond their control, and she thought the only way to save him would be for him to be sent away.—Mr Chance asked the lad if he would like to go to sea, and he cheerfully answered in the affirmative, —Mr Martin (the Chief Clerk) pointed out that the case was one under the Industrial School Act, where the boy was shown to be beyond control. —Mr Iremonger asked for an adjournment of the matter to allow of his making arrangements for the lad being sent to the Shaftesbury or some other training ship.—Mr Chance concurred, and the matter was adjourned.