801 days ago

Abuse in the Neighbourhood

Michael from Trentham

Didn't think quick enough late yesterday afternoon. Perhaps it was the cold weather or a Corgi that just wanted to keep going.

Walking past a little 9-10 year old, innocent-looking bare footed and thin school green coloured shirted sleeveless boy who was favouring his arm and shoulder and crying and shivering. So I enquired if he was alright and he shyly said no. He said he had been kicked out of his home after he agreed with me his father had bashed him. Later he said his mother was also at home. He denied he had done anything wrong. He said he had nowhere to go and no close by people he knew.

I told him that he should talk to a teacher that he likes at his school and the teacher will surely do something for him because most teachers are good like that and they have contact details and maybe history.

I was about to take him to my home get him warmed and drive him to his home. But I hesitated. Later my wife said if I had brought a complete stranger child home I could have been accused of being involved in pedophilia.

I chose not to walk with him to his home and confront a maybe vicious, drugged parent and later the child would probably suffer the consequences for bringing another person into the "fray".

Maybe he was not guiltless as he said and looked and did do something to raise the ire of his parent/s. But of course physical reaction on children is outlawed in NZ.

I suppose I could have phoned the police and wait around for ages for them to turn up. In the end I left the poor kid sitting on the wet grass underneath a Totara tree in The Reserve.

More messages from your neighbours
9 hours ago

Poll: Is dumping an issue in your neighbourhood?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

There's nothing worse than strolling around the streets in your neighbourhood and seeing dumped rubbish.

Have you noticed this in your area? What could we do to combat this around the country?

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Is dumping an issue in your neighbourhood?
  • 43.6% Yes, I've seen some illegal dumping
    43.6% Complete
  • 55.8% No, our neighbourhood is pretty good
    55.8% Complete
  • 0.6% Other - I'll share below
    0.6% Complete
342 votes
20 hours ago

Can you crack Today’s neighbourhood conundrum?

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

Without a bridle or a saddle, across a thing, I ride a-straddle. And those I ride, by help of me, though almost blind, are made to see. What am I?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

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Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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15 days ago

This one was sent in by your fellow neighbour, can you figure it out?

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

What is first white then red and the plumper it gets the more the old lady likes it?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

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Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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