Case 3967

The child T. was discovered by an officer of the N.S.P.C.C. at the house of F. & G. who had, when its mother was alive undertaken its charge for 4/- per week. When found he was very emaciated, in fact was so weak, as to be unable to stand. He was removed to Salford Hospital, and his life was despaired of for some weeks. Upon enquiries being made it was found a man named (who married the childs mother) was (after her death) weekly, paying visits to the house of the to pay the 4/- and 1- per week Insurance which was regularly paid and a drunken carousal then commenced seldom left the house sober.

Various witnesses spoke to, never seeing the child anywhere, but in a corner of the room clothed in an old overcoat, One witness saw the child several times eating what appeared (as she said) to be crusts soaked in water out of a dirty old tin can. The two 's and were summoned before the City Court Manchester, but only Mrs. was convicted she was fined 20/- & costs or one month.

The child is illegitimate, is only its father by marriage, but is willing to pay the 4/- for its maintenance as was not convicted he is still its Guardian. I know of no other relations but the Uncle.

Yours Faithfully
Reuben T. Saunders
Insp.
NSPCC