HARROWING STORY

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 11453, 2 March 1931, Page 3

HARROWING STORY

SYDNEY FAMILY’S PLIGHT

SYMPATHETIC MACISTR ATE. The ease that corroborated the ofttold story of how families are fighting against adversity under (he most harrowing conditions was hoard at the Sydney Police Court recently, when a km sued for the re-posscssion of furniture. held on the hire-purchase system

Tho defendant—a married womansaid that her husband had had no regular work for four, years .and had not earned any money for 12 months. He. had been a. master tailor, and until 12 months ago was a dealer. He had not sufficient funds to renew tho, licence. She had n.loo been in business and had failed. There were three children, and one of I hem, a young man, had not boon able to got. employment for 12 months. The woman said she liad absolutely no hope lor the future. A summons had been lodged against her for arrears of rent, and she feared ejectment. The family had been living entirely on the dole, which was not sufficient to keep them in good health. Frequently they sat down to a meal of bread and dripping. They could not. get. work.

'Plie magistrate was sympathetic. “This woman,” he said .“is obviously ill-nourished and has not a coin to jingle on a'tombstone. The unfortunate people are submerged. They are nolo on the bread line —they are below it; and arc without prospects for tho future. It is most harrowing to tell such a story. There is not: the slightest doubt that their plight is desperate.” He declined to grant tho application. * The solicitor for tho plaintiff company said that, in view of the desperate. plight of the family, he would he willing to leave the necessities in the house, if the woman would send hack the other things, which would he hold until she/was in'a. position to pay something off them. , At the close of tho case, the solicitor approached tbe*womnn and placed some money in her hand,