A COURT CHRISTENING.

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 38, 13 August 1910, Page 5

A COURT CHRISTENING.

"JACK WELLINGTON." A picturesque formality, with somewhat pathetic circumstances, was performed by Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court this morning, when the majesty of the law wwats t vindicated in respect of a recently-born male infant, deemed, for the purposes of an information in statutory form, to bo a "child having no means of subsistence." The- infant was found on the doorstep of the deceiving Home in Tinakori-road about 8 o'clock on Wednesday night, it was warmly-clad and well-nourished, and the manageress of the home— Miss Mary Jan© Rundle — who made the find, immediately took the babe into her care. This; morning the infant was brought by its custodians to the Juvenile Court in. the magistrate's private room, and ChiefDetective Broberg conducted proceedings on behalf of the police. Evidence as to the find was tendered by Miss Rundle, who said that the child was warm and healthy when it came into her charge. It appeared to be about four or five weeks, old, and the witness had no idea as to who the parents were. A MOTHER'S LETTER. . Pinned to the child's clothing, continued the manageress, was a letter (produced), and read as follows :—: — Wellington, 10th August. Mrs. Dick, —Being unable to afford to keep my darling baby boy, I am leaving it' in your good care, to take charge of it till I call for it, which I hope will be soon. I would liko you to call him Jack Wellington. I feel I will have him back some day when I can afford it. At present it is not possible for me to do this. I am going away, and you will hear from me later on. It breaks my heart to part with baby for a time, but hoVcan a poor mother keep and rear the darling as God would wish? May God guide him in his path and bless the- dear soul! When I am away I will always be thinking of my,darling Jack, but shall know he is well looked after by Mrs. Dick's home. It is only on account of poor circumstances that causes me U> leavo the dear little- chap in your care. When I come back I shall call and see you. From a Fond and Brokenhearted Mother." The letter was written in pencil, on two sheets of writing paper. On the back of one was written "Mrs. Dick." His Worship ordered that the child should bs committed to the Wellington Receiving Home, and that it should be named, as suggested by the mother, ~ "Jack Wellington." As nothing was said of the religion in the letter, his Worship thought that the child should be brought up in the Church of England- faith. The Chief-Detective said that Mrs. Dick had asked that the child might be trained in the Presbyterian faith, as she knew some friends of that religion who would take an interest in the child and provide a first-class home. The magistrate remarked that there was no objection to any form of religion, and he was prepared to fix on the Presbyterian faith for the infant. In reply, to a question from the Clerk of the Court (Mr. A. H. Holmes), his Worship decreed that the age of the child should be four weeks to-day.