Fight For Custody Of Baby

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27490, 26 October 1954, Page 13

Fight For Custody Of Baby

(Rec. 11.10 p.m.) SYDNEY. October 25. The next fight in the Murray-Mace baby case is expected to take place before the High Court next month. But even a High Court decision is not expected to end the battle. In legal circles today it was stated that neither party was likely to accept the High Court ruling as final. An appeal to the Privy Council is regarded as certain. The oaby will be two years old on November 8.

The fight for the baby, Wayne Murray. began shortly after he was born in' November, 1952. His unmarried mother. Joan Murray, a bus conductress. had at first told hospital and child welfare authorities that she wished to have the baby adopted. The baby was entrusted to Mr and Mrs Norman Mace, who took him to their farm at Erina, near Gosford. Wayne was then 12 days old. and the Maces changed his name to Peter. But Joan Murray changed her mind and claimed that she had a legal right to the return of the baby. In April. 1953. Mr Justice Herron made an order that the baby must be returned to his mother by the Maces. The Maces appealed, and the full High Court granted a stay of proceedings. The Equity Court later made an order granting the Maces the adoption of the babv. And Joan Murray appealed. On August 18 last the Full Court upheld her appeal against the adoption order, and the Maces lodged an appeal. This is the appeal which will come before the High Court shortly. Counsel in the case expect about 50 grounds of appeal to be argued.