young woman, - who was the mother of the youngest child, feelingly pleaded ' (with* "the little one in her arms), that it 'be not taken away from herf *nd ( etated her ability .to maintain" it.-The 'children, ahe 'said,' had 'always had plenty of food, -but they had been neglected on account Of the illness of the other child, and this was also the cause i of" the -house -being so dirty.. She went out washing, and would leave Wanganui 'and get a situation else ■where, if possible, as she might now find, it difficult to obtain work after what had been - published. Her child had. .received every attention, and its face was now, getting better. .- In 'reply' to the Magistrate, she gave the name of the father, of the child as Humphries, and said that he had never contributed towards its support. He had left her when he knew* she was in trouble, saying", he would try and get work at JJTapier, and promising to come back and marry her. He, however, had not fulfilled his ,'promiw,' and though he had confessed paternity of the child (letters' in support of which she held in her possession) he 'had not contributed a 1 penny piece to maintain it. _ The Magistrate. spoke strongly against the action of euch » scoundrel, and said he ought to be made to assist. His Worship added that the law should ■bo altered whereby a man could be 'compelled to provide for, the support of a child 'before it was born. He had suggested.' such alteration' to the au thorities^ and hoped to see it given ef fect to, .so'" th»t ..'ine-J ' could not slip away. He also advised the young mother to show, the letters to the po lice, and lay an information against the father, and" the ' police would then make an effort to find him. Mr Kettle concluded by giving some aound advice to 'the yountr woman, and stating that he would adjourn .the. case for a fort night, as he was always averse to tak ing children away 'from their parents if there was a reasonable ground "for sup posing that they could be supported by them. 