BABY ILL-TREATED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21634, 10 February 1945, Page 4

BABY ILL-TREATED

WAIROA PROSECUTION no attention at birth MAORI GIRDS OFFENCE Extraordinary evidence concerning a Maori girl who concealed her pregnancy from her employer and mom relatives, and who gave birth to her baby in the early hours of the morning, later proceeding to her work at the usual hour, was placed before Mr. J, Miller. S.M.. in the Police Court.in Wairoa this wee!:.

The girl, whose name was suppressed in view of special circumstances. was convicted and placed on probation for J2 months, on a charm of having the custody of a female child under the age of Hi years and wilfully neglecting such child, in ; manner likely to cause the child im necessary suffering or injury to its health. It was shown in evidence that the girl, who had been motherless fm some years, was working as a domestic. When sin? became pregnant, she had no guidance as a result of her concealing her condition, and when the child was born in the early hour: of a recent’ morning she put it in a suitcase, which site later carried, u the neighbourhood of her employer's house. The case and the baby were found a little later, and as a result of inquiries both the mother and cilia were placed under treatment. SeniorSergeant W. R. Miller reported to Ur court that the child was being cared or by tlie accused’s sister. Tlte magistrate, commented that tlv 2:1 se was a most distressing one. arid .lie result, of the girl’s action inign. :ave been very serious indeed. liereferred to the statement of the C'hiel Justice as to legislation covering licit cases in New Zealand, as conmasted with the United Kingdom; and remarked further that the girl in this case no doubt acted wluii dixtrauglit and irresponsible.