GIRL'S UNSELFISH EFFORT.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 August 1920, Page 154

GIRL'S UNSELFISH EFFORT.

TO SAVE HER SISTER. Expressing the view that she had acted foolishly, but without evil intent, the chairman of the Bristol Magistrates dealt leniently with Bella Moorcroft, of Belfast, a good-looking colleen of 23, [ whose unselfish attempt to shield her sister got her into trouble. She was charged with abandoning a male child, which was found in a shed at Temple Meads railway station.—Mr J. Green (prosecuting) unfolded a pathetic story. , Defendant, he explained, had* an unmarried sister named Frances, who got . into trouble at Belfast with an ex-sol-dier. In order to keep the incident from . their father, defendant helped her sister to go to a home in Ireland, making , believe that she was suffering from influenza. The child was born at the home on March 16. After about Ifi | days the sisters were told fhat the baby , would have to be taken home. At the end of the month, her sister being ill, defendant brought the child to England for the purpose of finding a i home for ! it, arriving in' Bristol on March 30. She was very tired, having had the child practically two days, and had a , night at sea. This made her distracted and worn out. That afternoon she took , the child to Midsomer Norton, carry- ' ing it for two miles to the home of a married sister. The husband and the J sister, however, refused to allow her to enter the house with the child, and she was led to put the little one in a shed, after wrapping it up comfortably and . warm. She then watched until she saw someone come along, find the child, and . take it away.—Herbert Bolton, labourer, deposed that at 11 o'clock at night , he heard a baby crying, and discovered the child.—P. S. Griffiths, who arrested defendant at Portland, stated that she | cried and told him her father was a sergeant in the Royal Irish Constabulary. .She added that her mother died about a year ago, and she had tried to save disgrace being brought on her father and to shield her sister. It was stated that the baby was now in charge of the Guardians.—The Relieving Officer . pointed out that the Guardians were in a difficulty, being unable to remove the mother.—Chairman: Perhaps-some kind person would see their way to adopt it.—Defendant's cousin expressed himself willing to take full charge of her. —Addressing the young woman, the Chairman remarked: "You seemed to be distracted with the responsibilities thrust, upon yon.You acted very fooishly, but we are quite sure you had no evil intent, and we shall dismiss you."