SOLDIER'S HOME BROKEN UP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16538, 14 May 1917, Page 6

SOLDIER'S HOME BROKEN UP.

MOTHER'S NEGLECT OF CHILDREN. The story of how a soldier's home waj broken up by the wrong-doings of hi wife and another man was related to Mr. F. V ' Frazer, S.M., on Saturday, when three* sturdy little children, aged 2, 3, and 5! years respectively, were charged in the Juvenile Court with being children not under proper care and control. Detective Curamings said the woman had been living with a convicted thief at Helensville and using his name.- * The house had no floor coverings and was evidently neglected. The whole surroundings were most unsavoury, and it was apparent that the children' though of good health, had not been pro! perly looked after. Their clothes were in a deplorable state. The woman's husband had been at the front 18 month?, and she was receiving money from him. In a written statement tho woman said she had given up the other man, and intended having nothing more to do with him. Rev. F. R. Jeffreys said he was there as a representative _ of tho Patriotic Association. At a meeting a week ago a cablegram from the husband, addressed to the Mayor, was received, and the matter was referred to witness, who placed it in the hands of the police. He understood the other man was separated from his wife and two children. With his money and what she received from her husband the woman had about £19 10s a month to spend. The clothing the children were now wearing had been provided by Sister Esther. It was tho wish of the Relief Committee of the Patriotic Association to have the children formally emmitted to an industrial school, but not actually, as Sister Esther had arranged for a good home for them. The Patriotic Association was making itself responsible for their care and upkeep until their father came back.

" With regard to the other man." said Mr. Jeffreys, "if I were not certain that just punishment were waiting for him hereafter I should like to see him turned loose to the Returned Soldiers' Association for breaking up a soldier's home while tho soldier is fighting for the Empire." In reply "to a question from the magi? v . trate as to whether she had anything to say, the woman went on fondling the children, and said sne only wanted to take them home. She had left the man. She asked to see the cablegram from her husband.

Mr. Frazer read the cablegram, in which the soldier said he had heard tha woman was ill-treating the children and threatening to injure them. He asked the Patriotic Association to help him, as ho had tried unsuccessfully to get leave. Mr Frazer told the woman if she conducted herself properly no doubt she would heallowed to visit the children, but he could do nothing but take them away from her until tho return of her husband. -