DESTITUTE CHILDREN.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3806, 9 May 1891, Page 2

DESTITUTE CHILDREN.

A Disgraceful Oaae. Application was made by John H. laplin in the R. M. Court this morning, before Colonel Roberts, K.M., for an cuder to compel John Disher, of Tenui, to support Eva Disher, a girl ten years of age, his daughter, who is alleged to be a destitute child. Mr Bunny appeared for the applicant, and Mr Pownall to show."' cause. Mr Bunny briefly stated the case.

i Mrs Disher, it appears, died at Mas. i terton some years ago, seven young children being left motherless. Several of these were removed to i Nelson, where they were taken ill, and were some time in the hospital. They were afterwards at the houses of various people and were subsequently committed to the orphanage. The child in question was placed under the care of a person at the Taueru. but was soon afterwards turned into the street, from which it was taken by Mr Taplin, Mr Disher had contributed absolutely nothing towards the support of his children, although he was earning good wages. John Taplin, sworn, deposed: I know Eva Disher, who is in my care. She is a daughter of the defendant. I took the child off the street. Disher is my brother-in-law. After the death of Mrs Disher I took one child, which I clothed, kept and sent to school. I still have the child, but Disher has contributed nothing to* wards its keep. I have a family pf my own. The child Eva was taken by a family named Lovejoy, but was afterwards left by them with David Anderson in Masterton. The child was kept by Anderson for about six months, but was then turned out, As she came crying to my house I took her in. She was afterwards taken by my brother Arthur, but 'he turned her out fre* quently, some times at ten o'olock at night. About a fortnight ago I found the child sitting on a tree, Her clothes had been thrown over a fence and she was turned out before daylight in the morning. Disher has not contributed towards the keep of the child since the death of Mrs Disher. Five of the children were taken by Disher to Nelson. They were taken by a Mrs JLloyd. The two eldest de ughters afterwards went to service, and the remaining three were taken by a Mrs Rielly. They were then taken ill, and were sent to the hospital. After being supported for a time by the Benevolent Mhfrtv the children were Nelson Orphanago, where now. The eldest girl has ill since she has been to serviHH^fl

is now unfit for work, and hasbarthy a stitch of clothing lor her back, Disher has been in work for soma time, Con. Collerton told me Disher had £B4 coming to him from Mr Bellies. Disher offered to Bettle with mo and give me what money I w anted, but I referred him to Mr Bunny. I have no wish to keep the child. 1 would rathor she was committed to the Orphanage, but I will keep her if an order for7sCd per week is made. John Disher, defendant, stated that he had been working off and on in tho Whareama for twelve months. He was working for Mr Belliss, but there was no erraugement made for wages. Mr Uellisa gave him a borne as'.ho was hurt. There was nothing doe'to him for wages. Mr Belliss had offered to pay anything in reason to Tapiin. Ho had contributed towards the support of his children iu the Orphanage and had receipts from Mr Gully. Ho also paid money to Mrs Lloyd. Ho (Disher) hadgbt:iio money and none was coming to him. Did a little ploughing for Belliss, and caught a rabbit or two now and again. Had never paid a penny piece towards the support of the child. 'At (ho time mentioned he could not work through illness.

Mr Pownall asked that, the information be dismissed on technical grounds. ■«".;," 1' Mr Bunny argued at length against th«. dismissal. Hia Worship finally

decided to adjourn the Court till one o'clock, when he would giro his decision on the point. On resuming, further evidence was taken, and His Worship made an order that Disher contribute six shillings per week towards the mainte&Snce of the child in question.