BABY FARMING.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2227, 14 July 1891, Page 2

BABY FARMING.

An inquest Avas held last Friday in Auckland touching the death of an infant named Bella Watson, who died in a sort of private children’s house at Mount Eden, managed by a Mrs Stickley. The jurymen went through the house to see the accomodation and state of the rooms. The building is in a rather dilapidated condition. The rooms are not papered, expect a few patches here and there, and in some places daylight may be seen through the walls. There is no passage but the rooms lead into one another. In one of the rooms, gathered round ■ a fire, were a number of little children, some in cradles and some being nursed by others not very much bigger than themselves. The place was a hovel, but as clean as it could be made. Mrs Stickley, in her evidence, stated that the house was her own enterprise, but her husband assisted in the management. At present she had twelve children, mostly illegitimate, under her care, aged from three months up to fifteen years. The children were admitted to her care by their parents and by the Charitable Aid Board. She was not under the supervision or direction of the Government in any way, or of the Charitable Aid Board either. The establishment was an entirely private concern, and established about seven years, From the time it was started thirty children had been received. Dr King, who had refused to give a certificate of death, deposed that death resulted in his opinion from want of proper food. The child was quite clean and there were no marks of violence. He thought the home should have medical, or rather police supervision. The Coroner took the verdict of the majority of the jury, to the effect “ That the child died from natural causes, and that blame was attachable to Mrs Strickley.” The jury recommended that the place should be visited periodically by some medical gentleman. Dr Philson suggested that the jury should state by whom the proposed medical visitant should be paid. The Foreman did not think the jury had anything to do with that —lie supposed that Government should pay him.