ALLEGED NEGLECT.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17803, 30 August 1929, Page 7

ALLEGED NEGLECT.

BOY BOARDER’S STORY. ILL-TREATMENT CLAIMED. THE CASE DISMISSED. (Special to Times.) TE AWAMUTU, Friday. An unusual action occupied the attention of the Magistrate’s Court today, when Charles Barton and his wife, of Ngahapc, were proceeded against by Mr Thorp, child welfare officer, for the neglect of Darcy Ronald Henry Growden, aged 14, who was licensed out to them. Mr Wyvcrn Wilson presided. Mr S. S. Preston represented defendants, and Senior - Sergeant Sweeney, of Hamilton, appeared for the police. According to Thorp’s evidence the boy was placed under the care of the Bartons on February 12. Witness paid a visit to the home on July 10 and found that the boy was treated quite well, and there were no complaints from him. On August 9, however, when witness again visited the Bartons, he found the boy’s room in an unsatisfactory condition. The blankets and bed clothing were filthy and two window panes were smashed. It appeared that Bill Dickson, a Maori boy who had recently stopped at the house, had ill-treated .Growden. On one occasion the Bartons left the boys together in the house with sufficient food. Dickson was alleged to have thrown the meat to the dogs and given the bread away to neighbours. In the box Growden gave lengthy evidence and complained of being halfstarved. Further testimony was given by Randolph Rhodes, a neighbour, and Constable Shaw. The case was dismissed and a further charge of assault against William Dickson was also dismissed.