NEGLECTED CHILDREN.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 8990, 1 January 1895, Page 3

NEGLECTED CHILDREN.

At the Magistrate s Court yesterday, before Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M., William Henry Davis, of Pigeon Lane, Riccarton, was charged that, on 24th December, 1894, having control of Percy Davis, eight years, and Emma, ten years, he did wilfully neglect them in a manner likely to cause them unnecessary suffering. Mr Donnelly, on behalf of another solicitor, appeared for. accused, who pleaded " Not Guilty.*' Josiah Wyllie stated that the accused, on the Friday before Christmas, rented a house from him at Addington, and placed the two children in it the same evening! As there was neither furniture nor covering pu. in the house witness took the children into his own home. On the Saturday accused left 2s 6d to get something for tne children. Accused was about during Sunday. The last he saw of accused was on Boxing Day. The children were dirty, and badly dressed.

CroßSre^amined —Four children were first put in the house, but two were taken away., On tbe first "day accused; talked of getting things frdm the auction room, but they never came. Accused did not askwitness to take care of the children.;";-••/•':'■ - ;''.■'-!

; Emily Wyllie deposed .that accused j asked her to take the' children, and she ' said . she could ' take them for that night, but could not look after them any longer. The last she saw of the father was on Christmas morning, when she took him to task for not having taken charge of the children, .as he had promised. Witness. bad given information to the police about them, and ■ they " were taken - into ; custody. .Evidence .was also - given of', the children having been seen wandering . about the road. Constable Drake deposed j to arresting the children, who were wander- j ing about the paddocks. He put them in charge of St. Mary's home, where they had since remained. Accused visited the Addington police station on Boxing Day, in- j quiring for the children, and witness then arrested him. The children were in a ' neglected condition, and no means appa- j rently were taken to provide for their comfort. I

Mr Donnelly, in extenuation of' the criminal aspect of the case, submitted that the children had practically been left in the care of the accused's landlord. There had been, no actual suffering, though he. (Mr Donnelly) was not prepared to deny'that neglect had been shown. Accused stated his intention of furnishing the house for the children, but had not been able to do so. v . In cross-examination, he stated the different places .the children had been at in the last two years, and said that-they had left them in torn, as he ha. been unable to pay their board and lodging. The Sench was of opinion that accused; was liable on the charge, but the question was what, was-to become of the children. Sergeant-major Mason said he would have to apply: for their committal to the Industrial School.

Alias Torlesse, in answer to the Bench, said that she was prepared to keep the children for a' few days until some arrangement was made for their future. ,

Mr Bishop said that a man who cottld treat his children for two years as accused had done was a " hard case." No doubt an order would subsequently be made for him to contribute .towards the support of the children. On the present charge accused would he fined 40s and costs, or, in default, bix weeks' imprisonment.