ADOPTION OF CHILDREN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 136, 30 May 1908, Page 2

ADOPTION OF CHILDREN.

AX IJU'OItTAXT BUUXU. Per Press Association. Auckland, L:' s l Xight. A» important ruling was given by Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M., to-day respecting tile adoption of children. A girl mother wished flio Court to grant an applioition that her child should he, adopted by a woman who had expressed willingness to foster it. The point at issue w as i hat where the Aet says that the parents of the child shall agree to any iipplieation for adoption." The S..M. heJd (hat the word "parents" included the parents of an illegitimate child, and that in alt it would be necessary to show that the putative father consented to (he adoption or that, lie had deserted the child, whilst the solicitor for the applican'.t contended that in the case of illegitimate children ncithor of the objections raised by his Worship applied. llin . "Worship refused to grant tile application until ho had been convinced that the, father had consented to the application or deserted and thus shirked liis responsibility. T'lie Court, his Worship •said, would do what it considered best for the child. The point being jiresied, his Worship said that he would ask Mr. Justice Edwards to give a ruling. "If you are right," replied the applicant's lawyer, "all the other rulings are wrong, and if all those orders are bad all tlios# children who are supp'o-3ei to be ftdopted are not adopted." liis Worship agreed that it was a very serious question.