A SHOCKING STATE OF AFFAIRS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10731, 20 February 1897, Page 6

A SHOCKING STATE OF AFFAIRS.

(Pm United Peess Association.)

AVellington, February 19,

■ | On January 9 an inquest wss held on the 1 : child of Louis and Margaret Anderson, which j had died under circumstances of shocking neglect, and » strong verdict was passed by the jury. The twin brother of-this child has since died The mother hid to go to the hospital, and the coroner said tho child was placed m charge ol Mrs Whelan. who was sent by the Salvation Army. Mrs AVhelau was afterwards put into gaol for drunkenness, and the police took the baby away from her and placed it in the hands of a registered person (Mrs Stark), ia whose house it died. There was, however, no charge of neglect against her. The evidence showed a state of affairs just as bad as iv the previous case, Mrs AVhelau and the father throwing the blame on ona another. The jury brought in a verdict " That the child died of wilful neglect, due to the carelessness of Mrs AVhelau, in whose charge it was placed ; also cf Anderson (the father), who showed by his habits utter I neglect and want of provision for his child. The j jury is unanimous.that Mrs Stark did all in her I power to prolong the child's life, and deserves praise for handling such a case." The police are now considering the propriety of taking j criminal proceedings against Anderson and the j woman. The man was charged at tha court j to-day with failing to provide for his wife and | child. The evidence given showed that he J earned good wages and spent ib all ia drink, j leaving his family to starve. He wag ordered j to pay all expenses connected with the death of | the child and 22s per week in future, or to go [ to gaol for one month.