THE ADOPTION OF INFANTS

New Zealand Mail, 21 February 1901, Page 56

THE ADOPTION OF INFANTS

AUCKLAND, February 13. Harriett Ann Clegg pleaded not guilty at tlie Police Court to-day to a charge of having in consideration of a money payment, adopted an infant without having a license to do so.

Sub-Inspector Mitchell stated that defendant had applied to the Court for a license, but the application had been refused.

The mother of the infant, a girl of 19, stated that Airs Clegg adopted the child when it was a fortnight old. It died about three weeks later at Airs Clegg’s house. AVitness gave defendant <£lo on the day the latter applied for a license and £2O after the infant’s death to cover expenses. Did not know the defendant’s application for a license had been refused. Defendant deposed that nothing was said about money when she proposed to adopt the infant. She did not know till after the child’s death of her application for a license being refused. She accepted £lO as a present to pay the legal expenses of the adoption. The Sub-Inspector pointed out that the legal expenses amounted to £3 12s.

Witness, continuing, eaid fc she took the child because she loved it. * The £2O was given her as a present to pay burial expenses. She did everything possible for the baby, and she had a letter from Dr Lowe stating that the infant’s deal- was in no- way due to want of proper treatment on her part. His Worship, in giving judgment, said he absolved defendant from any neglect of the infant, but a, serious breach of the Infant Life Protection Act had been clearly proved. He was afraid that this system of trying to adopt children was growing into proportions which might almost be called baby-farming. Defendant would be convicted and fined £lO and costs 17s.