MAINTENANCE OF CHILD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21940, 25 October 1934, Page 16

MAINTENANCE OF CHILD

RELIEF WORKER'S. CASE UNEXPECTED ASSISTANCE [bv telegraph—own correspondent] WHANGAREI, Wednesday The success of a world-wide appeal through the newspapers was illustrated in the Magistrate's Court to-day, when variation of a maintenance order made at Auckland in 1933 was sought by Harold Lionel Mathieson. The order was one for the payment of 10s a week for the maintenance of applicant's child, Francis Mathieson. Mr. It. K. Trimmer, who appeared for the applicant, said his client came to New Zealand 40 years ago as a boy. Recently a relative died in Manchester, leaving a large fortune, with the instructions that the trustees should dispose of the estate as they thought best. The trustees advertised in newspapers for relatives. The matter came under the notice of the applicant, who has been for some considerable time on relief works and had become in arrears with his maintenance payments. The fact that the son has thus become a charge on the State was placed before the trustees, who purchased New South Wales Government bonds to the value of £2500 and have handed them to th<* authorities to provide for the child. Mr. D. McCarroll, child welfare officer, said he had instructions to ascertain whether the applicant was a beneficiary in the estate before agreeing to a cancellation of the arrears. Mr. Trimmer said that the trustees since becoming aware of the fact that applicant is a relief worker have periodically forwarded sums of money for his use. However, applicant had no legal claim on the estate and the payments could be discontinued at the trustees' pleasure. He felt sure that they would cease if the money had to go toward payment of the arrears. Evidence on these lines was given by the applicant. The magistrate, Mr. G. N. Morris, said he considered that the interest from the £2500 was quite ample for the support of the child. The maintenance order and the arrears would be cancelled.