TRAGIC CHILDHOOD.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 115, 20 June 1914, Page 3

TRAGIC CHILDHOOD.

LITTLE WORKER ATTEMPTS SUICIDE. Indignant comments were made from the bench at Birmingham on the case of a 12-year-old boy, Harry Hewston, who was charged with attempted suicide. The magistrate declared that the boy had broken down under the cruel and wicked hardship of his lot. On the day which ended so tragically he worked before breakfast, then attended school, returning home in the evening to make ready for his regular employment in a barber's shop. This, it was stated, lasted from 6 till 9 o'clock on four nights a week, and on Saturdays he started at 8.30 a.m. and continued till night. On April 29 the lad was found hanging in an outhouse, and his life was saved with great difficulty. He was unable to give any explanation. He said he could not remember anything about it.

Dr Auden, medical superintendent of schools, agreed • that the work which the boy had been called upon to do was excessive, and said he would give the case his personal attention. .The magistrate placed the boy on probation for two years.