MAINTENANCE CASES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19721, 22 August 1927, Page 12

MAINTENANCE CASES.

SUPPORT OF CHILDREN. LARGE ARREARS IN PAYMENT. "If you want to go to gaol you can go, but if you do not it will cost you £1 2s 6d a week to keep out," said Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Police Court on Saturday in dealing with Albert Edward Parker, aged 38 (Mr. Sullivan), charged with default in maintenance of tour children m State institutions. Senior-Sergeant Edwards said accused's children had been in homes since 1920. tie had failed to contribute to their sup port and arrears had accumulated until £358 was outstanding. Accused had escaped from this liability by serving several terms of imprisonment, but he ftad not atoned for £b2 in respect of the urrent summons. Mr. Sullivan said accused had' serveu .our sentences, aggregating two years, and was now willing to make an effort lo pay and keep out ol gaol. Accused said he had obtained temporary work. The magistrate imposed a sentence ot three months' imprisonment, the term to be suspended as long as accused mam tamed a weekly payment of £1 for present maintenance, together with 2s 6d off arrears. Pleading that he had been a victim of misfortune, Albert H. Bray,, fisherman, appeared on an application for payment of maintenance in respect to his 12-year-old son, who had been committed to a home. The senior sergeant stated that during defendant's fishing trips the home had been left in charge of a daughter, aged 14, while a son, aged 16, earning £1 10s a week, had supported the girl and his brother, aged 12. The police had stepped in and the girl was now with a relative, while the younger boy had been placed in an Education Department home. Defendant said bad weather had frequently prolonged his fishing trips. His boat was wrecked at Wailieke Island on July 5 and it was not insured. He objected to the committal of the child to an institution, in which he considered juvenile criminals were housed, but ho ns willing to pay 12s 6d a week until he could apply for custody of the boy, to be given to a married sister. The magistrate made a maintenance order accordingly