HARBOURED ABSCONDER

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 37, 13 February 1931, Page 5

HARBOURED ABSCONDER

MOUNT ALBERT WOMAN CONVICTED. WELFARE ACT OPPOSED. "IRREGULAR ACTIVITIES." "While I respect tlic laws of New Zealand, I do not intend to obey the Child Welfare Act under any circumstances," said Constance McAdani, who was charged, before Mr. W. H. Woodward, S.M., in the Police Court this morning with harbouring a girl who absconded from tlie New street Receiving Home. She pleaded guilty. "The practice of harbouring absconders is a dangerous one, and has got to be suppressed," said Detective-Sergeant Kelly. "This girl, aged nine, -was committed to the care of the Child Welfare Department when a few months old. Later she was boarded out with her grandmother, was returned to the home, was boarded out at Mangere, but, on account of her behaviour, was again returned to the home on November 15 last. On November 2(i she climbed a fence at the home and was not seen again until she was returned on December 20. It was learned that after absconding, the girl went to the home of Miss McAdam in Mount Albert, where she stayed until December 20. Miss McAdain was aware that the girl was an absconder, but refused to say who brought her to the place." Miss McAdam said she would take full responsibility for harbouring the child, If the Department had advertised, she could not have kept the child. Since then two other girls had escaped, and were advertised for. The Magistrate: You must not go in for irregular activities of this kind. You have ofi'ended against the Act and, therefore you must he .convicted. The accused was convicted and discharged.