§ MR. NORRIS (Tower Hamlets, Lime-house)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been directed to a case of cruelty at Helston, in Cornwall, where, as reported, a Mrs. Elizabeth Rowe was charged and found guilty of very gross ill-treatment to her step-daughter, consisting of strapping her to a beam, beating her with a whip, and other cruelties, and for which the only penalty inflicted by the local Magistrate was a fine of £10; and if he will state whether any further proceedings can be taken in the matter?
§ MR. MATTHEWSYes, Sir; I have received a Report from the Magistrate's clerk referring to this case. It appears that the defendant was convicted of beating her step-daughter, and that, inasmuch as she elected to be dealt with summarily, the Magistrate fined her £10 and costs, or in default two months' imprisonment with hard labour, and he ordered the custody of the girl to be given to her uncle. I am informed that 900 the Court would have inflicted a severer punishment had they been satisfied that the other acts of cruelty which were alleged had, in fact, been practised upon the girl. The law does not admit of any further proceedings being taken in the matter.