PATERNAL DUTIES.

Timaru Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 6058, 18 September 1894, Page 4

PATERNAL DUTIES.

« At the Auoklacd Police Court on Saturday, during the hearing of a charge against a young man named Patriok Oasey for deserting bis three children, Mr Nortboroft expressed his opinion pratty freely of young men who, after getting married, allowed their ohildrnn to be supported by publio charity. Tho wife of tbe aocused said her husband left her aboot eighteen months ago. She had written frequently to bim at plitoea at which she haard he wae living, but could never get any reply. She bad had to rely upon charitable aid to support bemlf and her three children The acoused pleaded not guilty, but. gave do evidence. Mr Northoroft, addrassingCasey, said: " A great cumber of you men have no more feeling for your wives and ohildren than the beasts and birds. As long as you get what you want yourself, you don't care' whether jour children starve. !fhat is just how the matter stands. Tbe Charitable Aid Board only makes matters worse by allowing you an opportunity to oast your children on the charity of tbe publio. It seems to me that it would serve you right if the Legislature passed a law by which such man 6S you on their failing to support their families for any other reason than ill-health oould be flogged." Ac> cused : (> I did not attempt to conceal where I was living. I was only fifty miles from Hawera, and the police could easily have found aae if they wished." Mr tfortberoft j " If yon had oared for your wife and obildren you would have written home to icquire about them. The truth is you did not kiioc whether they wera dead or alive. I order you to pay 3» per week for each of your three children, and further order you to find two sureties of £10 eaoh, and four own of £20; in default two months' imprisonment in Auckland gaol, with hard labour."