AN UNUSUAL CASE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue LXVIII, 26 June 1912, Page 8

AN UNUSUAL CASE.

MAINTENANCE OF A CHILD

»V TELEGRAPH-PK.ESB ARSOCIVTIOw. GISBORNE, June 25. In giving reserved judgment to-day in the case of Hugh Marshall (Mr Barn«rd), a case in which defendant was asked to make provision for tbe illegitimate child of his wife. Mr W. A. Barton, S.M., said, '"Proceedings are brought under Section 5 of the Destitute Persons Act, 1910. It is admitted that the child in question is the illegitimate child of the defendant's wife, and was born before the marriage of defendant. The question, therefore, is whether tbe defendant is a near relative of the child. Acooiding to the definition given in Section 4 of the Destitute Persons Act, 1908. I am of opinion, after looking carefully into the matter, that he is not. The complaint will, therefore, be dismissed." His Worship added that had the child been i.n--<l.- 16 years of age, the defendant would have been liable under Section 26 of the Act. which was as follows: "'On the complaint on oath of any remitnhle person that any parent of a 'child under 16 years of age has failed or intends to fail to provide the child with adequate maintenance, a Justice of the Peace may issue a summons to the parent requiring him to show cause why a maintenance order should not be made against him." The meaning of the term "parent" in this-case includes the husband of tlie mother of any child, whether legitimate or illegitimate." ,