THE MISSING CHILD.

Northern Advocate, 26 October 1935, Page 10

THE MISSING CHILD.

(To the Editor),✓ Sir,—Reading of the distressing disappearance of Mrs Jagger’s little girl, I feel prompted to write a few lines to you, as I was born and reared not far from the scene of the child’s disappearance, and know the country and people for miles. Your description of the country is a very accurate one. The opinion of those who do not know the place and people is likely to be that it is a case of foul play, as in the case of the little Hawke’s Bay girl’s death, but, unless strangers have been in the district, I do not think there is any similarity in the two cases, as there are not many districts where the people are so neighbourly or on such good terms, or are so helpful to each other. What affects one affects all, and all are ready to help each other in sickness or trouble. Apart from my sympathy going out to the wee girl’s parents, it sincerely goes out to Mr V/. Johnson and his family, whom I have known since I was a tiny child. I know, from my knowledge of Mr Johnson that he will feel deeply the fact that the little girl was lost from his place. His daughter, Lena, who had charge of the child, is a girl I would readily trust with a child of mine. They are a big-hearted family, and are all very fond of children, and though Mr Johnson is not to blame in any way, he, from my knowledge of him, deserves a large share of sympathy. I think, unless of course, strangers have been in the district (which is very unlikely, as the road is so far from the highway) that the danger' lies in some of the swampy creeks. In any case I am one of hundreds of mothers who earnestly hope that the parents will soon be relieved of the cruel suspense and anxiety.—l am, etc., I. A. WILLIAMS. Onerahi. (Formerly of Hukerenui, where my people still reside). —L ■