TREATMENT OF A BOY

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 141, 14 June 1912, Page 3

TREATMENT OF A BOY

A "NOT WANTED." , AUCKLAND, 13th June. "This is one of thote cases that often occur in New Zealand, bat unfortunately seldom com* to light," stated Sub-In-spector Hendry, in introducing a case at the Police Court this morning, in which Charles W. and Mary Warwick and Gertrude P. and Petc-r Sorrenson were charged with having wilfully neglected a boy of twelve years, who was named as Cyril Sorreneon, and whose religion was described ue "Spiritist" on the charge-sheet. In outlining the case, Sub-Inspector Hendrey said that about twelve year* ago a little "not wanted" was brought into the world, and a woman named Shankland was alleged to have received £100 in consideration of her adopting the child which she did. She kept the child for a. year or so, and then handed it over to Mrs. Warwick, who for £10 undertook to look after it. Mr. and Mrs. Warwick were Mends of the Sorlensonfl, and apparently without money consideration, the boy was handed over to the care of Mre. Sorrenßon. He had fine© been bandied about between Mrs.

Sorrenson and Mrs. Warwick. The child became ill, and was taken by Mrs. Sorrenson to Mrs. Warwick, who brought him into town, and left him at Mr. Henry Wilding's office. Mrs. Warwick stated that she had no right to keep the child, and was not going to do so. Sorrenson was a maker of oilskin coats, and Mrs. Sorrenson a spiritualist or clairvoyant. The child was handed over to the police and sent to the hospital. He was then so bad with swollen glands in his neck that he could not speak. Daniel Metge, schoolmaster, stated that he had had the boy under observation at Newton East School two years ago, when he came to 6chool well clad, but he' was apparently sub-normal and of degenerate habits. He had to request that the child be taken from tho school, and thought he should have gone to an institution for separate treatment. The boy made a noise whenever he was told that he would be punished. Peter Sorrenson said that the boy was always well treated, but he was prone to stealing, and had occasionally to be chastised. After other eA'idecce the case was adjourned.