NOVEL MORAL CODE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3446, 10 February 1912, Page 9

NOVEL MORAL CODE.

A WOMAN AND HER PROTECTOR,

FINDING A MAN OUT.

At the Auckland S..M. Court last week Annie McLeod was' called upon to I Show cause \\ ’:v she should not contribute towards tne support of her child in St. Mary’s Industrial School. She deposed that she was the mother of the child and was divorced from her husband. There was no order for the custody of the children. Her husband Auckland and taken one child lroin the Catholic Home, and put it into a Protestant one. Mr Kettle said the father was legally responsible. A young man stepped forward to speak lor Mrs McLeod, said be was prepared to marry Mrs McLeod, but would not contribute towards the support of the child when the father might come to claim it later on. Mi'sMcLeod said her husband took two children and left her with one. She asked : ‘lf I marry this man, can I get this child out of St. Mary’s Horne?’ ? Mr Kettle: “I don’t think they will let it out unless you marry. Why don’t you marry him?” Witness: “I did not marry him at first, as I thought I would get to know him a bit better first. I made one mistake and did not wish to make another. You have to live >vith a man before you know him.”

.Mr Kettle: “Have von made up your I mind yet?” Witness: “I’ll think it over.” The young man (whose name did not transpire) again stepped forward and made a statement to t heeffect that the woman’s husband tonic her from the Thames to Christchurch, where lie left tier starving with two children. She had to beg food for herself and children. Mr Kettle asked the young man why ho had not married the woman. He replied that the “young lady” was not willing. He expected to marry her in a few weeks time. Mr Kettle: “Ho you think that fair to the woman.” The Protector: “There are hundreds of couples in Auckland living together who are not married, and they seem happier when they are not married. I could point out dozens of couples, and they seem to get on a jolly sight better than the married ones.” His Worship said lie would make an order against the mother for os per week. The Protector: She can’t pay it, and I cannot, so there’s an end of it.” The mother: “I might pay 2s 6d per week, but not os.” Mr Kettle: “I tell you, you can pay it, if you like, and if the money is not forthcoming, further proceedings will probably be taken.” The Protector: “She will have to go to work for herself, and I shall go on my own.” Mr Kettle remarked: “That is the strength of your respect for her.” as the couple left the Court.