MARRIED MAN'S OFFENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20333, 14 August 1929, Page 14

MARRIED MAN'S OFFENCE.

WARNING BY MAGISTRATE.

LAW NOT GENERALLY KNOWN

[by TELEGRAPH. —OWN COnnKSI'ONDKNT. ]

"VVHANGAIIEI, Tucedny,

An unusual case was heard in tho Magistrate's Court at Waipu yesterday, when Frederick Brooks was chajged, under section 24 of tho Child Welfaro Act Amendment, 1927, with committing on offence against a ward of the State, a girl licensed to,bis wife for domestic duties. The girl, whu was placed out in October, was under tho age of 17 years.

Mr/ 1 G N. Morris, S.M., in giving judgment, said it was a serious offence, the first of its kind in the North Auckland district, and perhaps in New Zealand. T.here was no. excuse for a married man such as Brooks, who was placed in imposition ol guardian on behalf of the State. Owing to the fact that Brooks had been so frank in admitting the facts and tho case being the first of its kind' imprisonment would not ho imposed, but thoyiiext offender would certainly re'eeivo lieUvy punishment.

Tho magistrate also stressed, tho point that the penal clause was not generally known, as the amondment was only madiri 1927. t He hoped that as much publicity as possible would bo given to tho ense !• Brooks was fine(l £1S _ vvUh cosU *a 3 allowed a fortnight in which to pay.