POLICE COURT.

Thursday, August 29. — Before H. E. Kenny, Esq., H.M.
Information under " The Destitute Peksons Relief Ordinance, 1846." — An information was laid under the above Ordinance by Mr. R. Snell, the Chairman of the Taranaki Relief Board, to the effect that Mary Bishop, widow of the late John Bishop, is destitute and unable to support herself by her own labour, and that she has a father, named William Billing, living at New Plymouth, of sufficient ability to support her. Mr. Billing was called upon to say why an order should not be made upon him for payment towards such support. Mr. Snell stated that Mrs. Bishop applied to the Board sometime since for relief, and, in consequence of that application, she received 2s. Gd. per week for about twelve months, or more. She was then struck off pay, but had made a second application in writing about ton days' since. The application was produced and read.

Mrs. Bishop said that she had two children, one under six and the other under four yours of age. She could maintain herself ii' it were not for the children, but she was not strong, and could not get sufficient needlework to do.

Mr. Billing admitted that his daughter was destitute, but that he could not maintain himself, and therefore could not promise to contribute any regular sum towards her support. He was seventyeight years of age. His sons managed the farm, and had to provide out of the proceeds for the maintenance of their father, mother, and sisters. His sons sometimes brought in firewood and other things to Mrs. Bishop.

Mr. Snell said that he thought if Mr. Billing could afford to spend so much a year as he did in the education of one of his daughters, he ought to be able to contribute towards the support of this one, instead of allowing her to be a burden upon the public.

The Resident Magistrate said he certainly could not interfere with the manner in which Mr. Billing chose to educate his daughter. It was the duty of every parent to provide for his children the best education that by in his power. Ib was clear an order could not be muJe upon Mr. Billing, as it was proved that he was not of sufficient ability to contribute towards Mrs. Bishop's support. Taranaki Herald, Volume XX, Issue 2024, 31 August 1872, Page 3