UNKNOWN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12399, 12 October 1903, Page 6

UNKNOWN.

CHILD BRED IN A SYDNEY ij>, YARD. J " ASSIMILATES HABITS OP PO(,?j>¥ As extraordinary case, showing tl m ' e«ce of ' environment on. the infan tuitti came before the Sydney Water Police inriJ : September 29, when Agnes Martin, ; eijgj a servant, was charged with liavi ; *«; fully exposed her child, Hilda Muni 'asfcr* four years, in a yard in ft mannelij^j v to result in bodily suffering to it. 1 • , : Senior Constable George Brow;i Mi, went on the 15th ins-t. to the nam RQ ■ Victoria-street, and saw the child Martin playing in. the yard with somJaJJjg* She was scratching in the earth \vl ij' . feet and hands, rolling in the dust, ittjj,' up things with her ringers, crow'm; ' : imitating the fowls in every \va\ a .,i "spurring up" against the fowl's in » a .. ' ' that roosters do to one. another, IgC, would crawl through any .small op fc.7 and follow the fowls around the yard IW* ' child was without boots, hat. and poi to H of clothing. Witness went to tljeVjjl again on four successive days, and on <%m. occasion saw the child act in a suni|ar m, - ner. On the 21st inst. witness, acednpaaierf by Superintendent Barry, went t<>!B9, y;, toria-street', and Mr. Barry read 5 warrant (produced) to accused, who opened he door lu. reply, accused said, I was jrced to put it down the yard." "Witnss said "What wages do you receive?" j Accused replied, "I have not received 6d front tar employer. Eve been with he for 20 months." 1 Constable Cruickshank also gß.te com,, borative evidence regarding the c\iltl fe; fating fowls oy cackling and ground with its hands. Witness 2so saw, tils child spur up to a- rooster as oaeWster does to another. 1. ; . Dr. Taylor, Government medical raßee» stated that he had examined the chili th,'./, morning, and found her well ao( j clean. If she were left in the nam*-' fa. • scribed by the witnesses, the trertruenb would result in a permanent injuiy. / Margaret Johnson, attendant; j,fc tjj 9 - benevolent asylum, said the clala was brought to the institution on September 21 •by Senior Constable Brown. Its hi id, was in a filthy condition, and had soi&s] where vermin, had eaten the scalp. Theri \us a,lso fowl lice on its body. For two 0 three days the child would not speak, hit would crow and chuckle around the other clildroa. '' When retiring it would not go told like an ordinary child, but. would wnt to perch on its cot. Agues Martin, a single woman, :i scr . vice at 89, Victoria- as a gene; J servant, deposed that the child 'befofa the Court was hers, and was about foulyears of age. Witness had lived at 89, Viltoriastreet, for 20 months, and had flit Infant all that time. She got no wages ' The child used to be sent to the yard. In very: " wet weather, or on very cold days, it was! left in the kitchen. The child user wore boots or socks, except on Sturdy afternoons, when she was taken out. Witness did her duty to the child as far assho was concerned. She never noticed vcmin on the little girl, and gave her a bi»h every Saturday night. She had very litle time, as she was busy from half-past six a,m, till about ten or eleven o'clock t night'. Witness did not tiy to get anotbr place* • ' and did the work as best she could ' ; Mr. iving fined accused 20s, 01 in default, seven days' hard labour. Twc, months were allowed in which to pay the toe. The child was ordered to be placed ii the cus- ! tody of the superintendent of the benevolent asylum until it attained the age of 16 years. ■ y[ M}; f M