CRUELTY TO CHILDREN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 314, 11 July 1930, Page 7

CRUELTY TO CHILDREN

SCHOOL PRINCIPAL CHARGED SICKNESS NOT ATTENDED TO LONDON, July 9. That one child died from pneumonia following measles and nine others suffered from ringworm and eczema owing to neglect is the allegation against Mrs Hilda Fearn, principal of the Merivale High School at Bickley, made by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Nine children, aged five to nine years with bandaged heads, appeared in Court when the case began. The prosecutor said that Mrs Fearn did not call a doctor to the measles cases, because on her own statement she owed him money and her cheque had been dishonoured. When the doctor did ultimately call he did not see Veronica Budd, who eventually died, until it was too late. He then found three more cases of measles and suggested that a nurse would be necessary, but none was employed. Veronica Budd’s parents had previously been told that she was quite well, although she was suffering from measles. The society’s officials found the child suffering from measles and practically starving. Eight others wore afflicted with ringworm One girl of five was bald. The nurses '„uO were called in later gave evidence that Veronica Budd’s bed was too short and the room was disgustingly dirty. The case w r as adjourned.