YOUTH'S RESPONSIBILITY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17178, 7 February 1930, Page 2

YOUTH'S RESPONSIBILITY

'arrears of maintenance AJJUTKER €&&H6E GIVEN "You had no right to get married , when you had this child to maintain," was the stern comment passed by Mr. P. S. Harper, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court this morning, in dealing with a case in which a youth, Oswald Pitcher, was proceeded against for disobedience of an order for ithe maintenance of his illegitimate child. Pitcher admitted that he was in arrears to the amount of £24 to January 9. Mr. L. T. Barnard appeared for the complainant. The defendant stated in evidence that -the reason why he had marie no payments was that he had been out of work. M'r. Bu'T».'iid: Last time you ware brought before the court you made the .same excuse, but immediately after '(that, you were married. The dc'fendaiit: 1 was married before that. But you failed to make payments to this girl prior to your marriage?— yes. You got Married, and "still didn't pay?<-~I paid as much as I could. rjow much is that?-—-About 10s a week While I Was in work. You are about a year behind with you* payments?'—About eight mouths. I made a payment about two months agoWhat you doing prior to the i ! last two months!—l was hairdressing in Jlawera. I earned £5 a week for a time, and later £3 lis. You have said frequently Ithat you' are not going to support the child? — I never said that. What! To no person it all?—No. You maintained at first that it was not yours?—Yes, until an agreement was made to pay. You still said it was not yours, and that you were not going to pay?—No, I didn't. When you wore in employment you had an Opportunity to pay something off the arrears?—No; I had to put aside something -for my wife. was her child horn? —In August, 1929. What have you done since you returned to Gisborne? —A few days' work on the wharf. The magistrate said the best thing lie could do would be to adjourn the ease for a term to see whether the defendant Could obtain employment. "You have a responsibility here which you will have to meet," said Mr. "Harper. "You Were foolish to incur this further responsibility. You, had no right to get married when you, had this'child to maintain. The case will be -adoourned for< two months, and you will have to do your best to find employment, and make your pay-' meats."