THE HOSPITAL BOATMAN

(To the Editor. J

. Sir, — -I have taken some pains to ascertain the truth of the allegations made against Scott, the late Hospital boatman, by members of the Hospital Committee, and I think in justice that the result should be made known. In the first place Mr Evans stated broadly that he (Scott) had made more mischief than any other servant in the institution. No doubt Mr Evans fully believed what he said, but he had been very greatly misinformed, for £cott never laid a complaint, never created discontent of any kind during many years of service. It is only a pity that, members of the Committee will not investigate matters before making statements injurious to.-thot>e who cannot help themselves. Again referring to a more serious matter I find that Scott was charged indirectly with sending threatening letters to some of the C'ommitteemen, and so serious were these deemed that Detective Browne's well-known abilities were enlisted to trace their authorship, or, in other words, to biing the charge of their origin home to Scott. Not only has this intention failed, but inquiry hns proved that Scott could neither have written nor instigated them, but, what is more, that they were evidently sent by an enemy of his to damage his character, and prejudice him in the eyes of the Committee. They are in the possession of the police, and are written in a good clerkly style of handwriting, such as Scott could not accomplish, nor is it probable even ill-advised friends of his could write or indite. To the writer's knowledge Scott is ; s anxious to discover the author as the Committee can be, in order to remove the stigma from his character, and has offered in addition to any reward given by the Committee the sum of £5 for the desired discovery. As on a scriptural occasion an enemy sowed tares in wheat, so has some malicious person sent these letters to injure Scott, and judging from the resu t the blackguard has succeeded admirably with the majority of his judges. In justice to him I pen these lines, with a hope that the Committee will retract the injustice they have done him on full inquiry being made. Yours &c,

FAIRPLAY.