NOBODY'S BOY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 141, 13 June 1912, Page 2

NOBODY'S BOY.

SENT OTJT WITH £100. "This is one of those cases that Often occur in Kew Zealaad, but, unfortunately, seldom come to light," stated Sub-Inspector Hendrey in introducing a case at tbe Police Court this morning, in which Charles W. and Mary Warwick and Gertrude P. and Peter Sorrehson were charged with having wilfully neglected a boy of 12 years, who was named as Cyril Sorrenson and whose religion was covered in the entry" "Spiritist" on tbe charge sheet. In outlining the case, the SubInspector said that about 12 years ago a little "not wanted" was brought into the world, and a woman named Shankland was alleged to have received £100 in consideration of her adopting the child, which she did. She kept the child for a year or so, and then handed it over- to -Mrs. Warwick, who, for £I°, undertook to look after it. Mr. and Mrs. Warwick were friends of tbe Sorrensons, and, apparently without money <»_ridera_on, the boy was handed over •to the care of Mrs. Sorrenson. He had since then been bandied about, between Mrs. Sorrenson and Mrs. Warwick. The child became ill, and was taken by Mrs. Sorrenson to Mrs. Warwick, who brought Viim into town and left him at Mr. Henry Wilding's office. Mrs. Warwick stated that she had no right to keep the chQd, and was not going to do so. Sergeant Fraser said that Sorrenson was a maker of oilskin coats, and Mrs. Sorrenson a Spiritualist, or clairvoyant. Srorrenson had made a statement to witness which was in conformity with the Sub-Inspector's opening remarks. The child called Mr 3. Sorrenson "mother" and Mrs. Warwick "aunty." Consequently the child was handed over to the police, and sent to tbe hospital. He was then so bad with swollen glands in his neck that he could not speak. Evidence supporting the facts relating to the boy bei _j brought to Air. Wilding's by Mrs. Warwick and left there ill was given, and Mr. Wilding stated that he bad before that written to Mr. Sorrenson concerning the child in consequence of information received. Mrs. Warwick said that she had another child she had adopted for £10, and three children of her own. She bad consequently allowed Mrs. Sorrenson kit years ago to keep the boy, because she was lonely, and witness had not had charge of him since, til] two days before he was taken to Mr. Wilding's | office. Then Mr. Sorrenson returned, him ! because of reports by the Protection j Society. Next day the boy came from j school with a swollen face, and fearing that he would communicate mumps to a daughter who had a throat trouble, she took Cyril next day to Mr. Wilding, after she had bandaged and wrapped up the child's face. child bad always been well treated by Mrs. Sorrenson. Daniel Metge, schoolmaster, stated that he had had the boy under observation at ivewton East School two years ago, when he came to school well clad, but he was apparently sub-normal and of degenerate habits. He had to request that the child be taken from the school, and thought he should have pone to an institution for separate treatment. The boy made a noise whenever told that he would be punished Peter Sorrenson said that the boy was always well treated, but he was prone to stealing, and had occasionally to be chastised. After similar evidence by Mrs. Sorrenson and other witnesses, the case was adjourned to enable evidence to be heard from the schoolmasters at Nelsonstreet and Grey Lynn scbools, where the boy had attended just prior to his being taken to Mr. Wilding's.