Some baby farmers "adopted" children for lump-sum payments, while others cared for infants for periodic payments.

Such was the case in Launceston, with evidence the practice was occurring in the late 1800s, persisting well into the next century until the Government introduced legislation to stop it.

Mary Ann Dunton was one such "practitioner".

At the Launceston Police Court on May 22, 1907, Mary Ann Dunton was charged under the Public Health Act, 1903, with being a person registered for the purpose of nursing and maintaining children for hire, and neglecting to enter their names in a register.

She allegedly received three children from Mary Medhurst on or about February 20.

Dunton was also charged with having the custody and control of three children and neglecting them to such an extent as to cause unnecessary suffering.

The children were Charles Medhurst, Catherine Cutler and James Trimm.

Mary Ann pleaded not guilty.

The court heard that although Mary Ann was registered at the Town Hall as having custody of the children, she did not keep the required paperwork at her residence.

James Trimm was two months old when his mother Maud Trimm handed him over to Dunton in November 1906.

Maud worked at the hospital as a wardsmaid and earned 12s per week, 7s of this was given to Mary Ann Dunton for keeping the child.

He stayed there until March 14, 1907 when he was admitted to the hospital and died a week later.

At this time Mary Ann was looking after nine children by herself, all under three years of age which the prosecution said was far too many.

Witnesses testified there were only three bottles which were being shared between up to six infants, and were not cleaned between feedings.

James Trimm was kept in a gin box with old skirts as his bedding.

The court heard he was treated roughly by Mary Ann.

It also heard he was being fed on only barley water and egg white during the last month of his life.

Mary Ann testified this is what the doctor told her to do, but he contradicted this evidence.

Another doctor testified that the proper quantity of milk for an infant was two pints a day, but one pint would be sufficient; barley water was not a substitute for milk.

The Bench in summing up said they believed that the child had been improperly fed and not received anything like proper nourishment.

Mary Ann Dunton was found guilty of child neglect and fined £10 with 16s costs and given a week to pay.

Other charges also relating to neglect were withdrawn as she no longer took children in to nurse.

Payment was not forthcoming, so she spent three months in gaol.