Barndon's Burden

NZ Truth, 5 October 1918, Page 6

Barndon's Burden

A Widower and the Weans

(From "Truth's" Christchurch Rep.)

Richard William Barndon is a laborer, also a widower, and subsequent to his wife's death the family of five were placed m a receiving home. Now it is only a. fair thing that Richard should have to pay something for their support, but most people will agree that to make an order for 7s a week m respect of each child is over the odds. Yet this is Avhat Barndon is, or rather has been up against, consequently it was no- surprise to find him before Magistrate McCarthy, at the Christchurch S.M.s Court recently, and asked why he had not paid up and what he meant by owing the department a trifle of £194 4s. But when he explained that he^was expected to part up £2 9s each week, and had only earned on ah average £2, his Worship said anybody with common sense could see that it was impossible for the man to comply .with the order. His Worship' Said he would stand the case down for a fortnight m order that the police might have a word with the heads of the department about the position.