CONTEST FOR MOST BABIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21537, 8 January 1932, Page 12

CONTEST FOR MOST BABIES

MILLIONAIRE’S WILL COMEDY. Women in Toronto are taking part in the strangest race the world has ever It is a race to discover who can have the most children in the space of 10 years. And the reward is a fortune left under an extraordinary clause in the will of Mr Charles Vance Millar, K.C., an eccentric bachelor millionaire, who died some time ago. By the terms of his will, Mr Miliar get aside £IOO,OOO of his fortune of £1.000.000 to the Toronto woman who should bear the most children between 1926 and 1936. The offer has sent up the city’s birth rate by leaps and bounds. At the present moment two of the fair competitors are well in the lead of their rivals. One is Mrs A., a slight, fair-headed, gmiling housewife, who, at the age of 42, has had 26 babies in 22 years of married life. Six of them have been born since Mr Millar’s death. Thirteen are alive, some are working, others are at school, and others are still infants. The family all live together in a small but comfortable home. When another little “ A.” is expected, “an upstairs room,” says the father, “ is cleared out and fixed up like a hospital room, with doctor and nurse in attendance. After the newcomer’s arrival, Mrs A. takes a two weeks’ vacation before resuming her household duties.” . “Looking after such a big family, gbe says, “is hard work. I can t dress my children up every day, but I manage to keep them washed and clean most of the time.” ...... „ Mrs As nearest rival is. Mrs 8.. a Toronto-born Canadian-Italian woman, who is onlv one lap behind in the running for the £IOO,OOO. She has had five children in as many years.