"ADOPTED" CHILD

NZ Truth, Issue 1043, 21 November 1925, Page 8

"ADOPTED" CHILD

A Pawn In The Chess Of A Married Couple

TWO SCOTS GO TO LAW

(From "Truth's" Special Auckland Representative.) A matrimonial quarrel that came before Magistrate Hunt at Auck- , land was found to involve the fortunes of a little, curlyheaded child, not the offspring of the parties. The Magistrate said he would have inquiries made into the alleged adoption of the child, and into a suggestion that the law had not been complied with.

The Elliotts brought their matrimonial troubles from their native S.cotland to the land of their adoption. When they found that they could not get on here, hubby, suggested that his wife should return to the Old Land' and he would follow her. She went, but he did not follow. Now she has returned and claims support from her spouse. CURLY-HEADED ; KIDDY. Catherine Elliott appeared m Court neatly dressed m black. She had with her a little curly-h&aded child of about five. When she took her stand m the witness-box, a friendly police attendant took the child and promptly placed it on the knee of a man 'sitting close by, who was the defendant m the case. But the defendant quick and |ively rejected custody of the brat m a manner that left no doubt as to his regard for the kiddie; and the minion of the law saw he had drawn a blank, The child was adopted by the Elliotts m 1922 and -has already been round the world. Catherine or Kate, as her husband calls her, took the child with her to Scotland, when her husband suggested that she should return Home. She went back to Scotland, so she told Lawyer Sullivan, under the promise of her husband to follow her, and m the meantime to pay £1 weekly for the keep of the child. When she arrived m her native Paisley, however, she found no money awaiting her and she was penniless.

You came to New Zealand m 1920? — Yes. You adopted a child when you came out? — Yes, we did. What did you get out of that?— I got an outfit for the child. I suggest that you got a sum of money too?— -I say 1 did not. The S.M. (sharply): Where was that done?— lt waa done here, before Mr. Poynton. The S.M.: I will see into this. There is too much of this going on. Send for the adoption papers. PAYMENTS ADMITTED The witness then admitted with hesitation that she got something like £75 at different times. Witness declined to disclose the name of the parents of the child. When the adoption papers were produced it was seen that no order was made. The S.M. remarked that it was perhaps because of the question of payment that the order had been held up. There was mention m the papers of £50. The S.M. repeated that he would have the matter looked into. In answer to further questions by Mr. Singer, complainant said that she got £8 from her husband when she went home. She had been able to get back because the man she. kept house for Left her his property, which realised £ 80. You: did not write to your husband all the time you were away, did you? — I Oh, yes, I did.