TO SEE FAMILY

Hokitika Guardian, 30 April 1940, Page 6

TO SEE FAMILY

- .-•* r .v» - * ■ must Visit grave

PERTH, April 16. j A man said in the Perth Court to-day that the only time he; saw his children was when lie visit-dj the grave of one of his sons on Sundays. Then he saw them but dimly, through half-blind eves. He is Leonard Robinson, stated to have been a physical and nervous wreck since the battle of Yillers-Bretouneux, in tlie| last war. , Robinson claimed that he could not afford to pay 10/- a week maintenance for live of his children, who are being'cared for by his mother. The Child Welfare Department took action against him, claiming that he had £l4 in a bank. It was stat'd that bis arrears of maintenance were £6O- - said lie suffered from neurasthenia, arthritis, and irritat’onal heart ’ trouble. He Was completely, blind in one eye, and the sight of the other was failing. The money in the bank, lie said, was trust money., having been raised by his three sisters, to provide him with food and expert medical advice, which would help him to secure a pension.

When he first returned from the war he was receiving a full pension, but it was stopped. Robinson said lie cut hedges and lawns, an*d slept in deserted’shops. .

The magistrate, Mr A. D. . Smith, adjourned the case, so that one of Robinson’s sister could.be called to state whether the money in the bank had been provided for medical attention.