FAMILY'S PLIGHT

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 69, 23 March 1938, Page 12

FAMILY'S PLIGHT

A STRANGE PILGRIMAGE

ARRIVAL HERE

' Accompanied by a dog and a pet quail in a cage, and looking a little out of their element, ten barefoot children and their mother descended on Parliament Buildings about 8 o'clock this morning, in one of the strangest pilgrimages ever undertaken in this country. They were the Wilkins family,

from the far north, and they were in

search of help and shelter after twelve years of monastic existence on an isolated farm property at Doubtless Bay. Arrangements have been made for their transport tonight to Christchurch, where Mrs. Wilkins has relatives, and where arrangements have been made to supply them with food and shelter.

The-only Minister in Parliament Buildings when they arrived there this morning was the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, and they were ushered into his quarters. He immediately saw to it that they were given breakfast, and when the Minister of Health (the Hon. P. Fraser) arrived the plight of the family was discussed and arrangements made for their immediate welfare. They were given into the care of the Smith Family, and their passages to Christchurch arranged. The ages of the children range from 12 years to 23, and there are five girls and five boys; and the only education they have received is what their mother and the eldest daughter have been able to impart.

Their farm is situated at Wilkins Inlet, Whatuwhiwhi, Doubtless Bay, and the only land access to it is a cattle track. All the surrounding property is owned by Natives. Until 1935, when their boat was, it is understood, appropriated by legal procedure for payment of a debt, they had sea contact with Maunganui, but after that their isolation became even more complete. The farm, which consists of 947 acres, is freehold, having been purchased by Mr. Wilkins in 1926, and its stock consists of seven Jersey cross cows, according to the official records. To obtain food after losing the boat, it was necessary for members of the family to walk 20 miles on occasions tto replenish supplies, an operation in i which they received the assistance of the storekeeper at Maunganui. Since they took over the property, it is stated that the family has spent £4000 on it. Prior to settling in Doubtless ! Bay, they had resided in Queensland, j

In 1936 the position of the family was made known, and steps were taken to help them. Last Christmas, on the instruction of the /Minister of Health, they were supplied with food and other necessities, just as they had been on previous occasions.

Recently differences of opinion arose between the father of the family and the Maoris, and the dispute reached a climax when the father and two children were brought before the Magistrate's Court at Maunganui on charges of causing mischief, arising, it is stated, out of damage done to fences and a whare belonging to the Natives. The two children were bound over, and the father sentenced to two months' imprisonment.

The family left the property, and walked as far as Whangarei, with the idea of trying to effect an exchange for a place more suitable and less isolated.