GINX'S BABY AT PATEA. MAGISTRATES IN A DILEMMA.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 71, 26 March 1881, Page 4

" GINX'S BABY " AT PATEA. MAGISTRATES IN A DILEMMA.

A curious scene, we learn from the local paper, occurred at Patea the other day. The licensing magistrates had jnst finished bnsinosa, when a professional nurse brought before them a child which, she said, she had kept 14 months without receiving any remuneration from the mother. Bhe, therefore, brought the child for the Bench to take care of. After a short dialogue with tho magistrates, she pushed the child forward, placed a bun in a paper on tho table for ft to go on with, and left the Court with a rush. The three magistrates looked at each other, smiled, exchanged confidences, and were leaving the bench, when the Chairman said, "Open Ihe door and lot tho child (To after her— quick! Ihe poor deserted brat was pushed out, and the door closed. That seemed to be the last of it ; but presently the door opened and the nurse again pushed the child into the Court, closed the door with a bang, and was gone. The police sergeant and the bailiff were then in possession of the Court, and therefore of the bat>y. Neither officer considered that his ffficial duty extended to babies; and even the clerk had not a fatherly smile for it. A representative of the Press was hovering near, but as he could not find room for a live baby in his next issue, owing to pres3 of news.ho lei tit to the tender mercy of the Court. What became of the baby ? She waa a nice little girl, about three years old, well dressed , and interouting. She will help some day to balance the population, there being a scarcity of girls ; but in the meanwhile she had only that bnn in the paper to go on with. Tho B.M. was again appealed to privately hb to which officer of the Court should take charge of tho deserted baby and be a father to it. He had to choose between the bailiff, who might " take possession," or the Bergeant, who might " appre hend" tbe child. The E.M., on "timeto conaidor," and gave judgment that the bailiff, being then lawfully seized of tho child, might take it to the Police Station and deliver it to the custody of the sergeant. But at the Police Station a new diffi ulty arose. The sergeant refused to take in the infant prisoner, there being no proper " information" against the aforesaid. Sadly bnt kirtdly the bailiff retraced his steps to the Court, but the E.M. had "cleared." What was to be done ? The bailiff decided to take his infant chattel home to dinner. His troubb was lightened on the way by Mrs. Williams benevolently taking charge of the child till such time as a home can be provided for it at the expense of the State. How this is to be done is doubtful. No local public body has funds for the purpose. If the baby had sense enough to take the measles, it could be Bent to the County Hospital, just before the placo closes for want of State aid. This pauper baby will turn up again, and the wise economists of the County Council will have to discuss it as a State problem.