COSTLEY REFUGE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 165, 15 July 1890, Page 5

COSTLEY REFUGE.

VANSTONE'S BLACK EYE.

THE MASTER'S EXPLANATION.

OTHER MATTERS.

Mr J. Milo Moss, master of the Costley Refuge, appears to be very much dissatisfied over the case in the Police Courb the other day, in which he and one of the old. men in the Refuge named Robert Vanstone were concerned. He stated his case yesterday afternoon at the meeting of the Charitable Aid Board in the following passage from his usual report on the Refuge :— "In reference to the case of Robert Vanstone, hero are the facts. On Friday week last, the 4th met., about 4 p.m., Vanstone was seen by Mrs Mose coming down the hill towards the Lower Refuge where he was stationed, drunk, shouting and flourishing a stick around his head. I met him, and ventured a few mild expostulatory returns, and requested him' as he was drunk to go to bed, the result being that he went into a frenzied paesiori, pushed his head into my face, and closed with me, when I was in self-defence absolutely compelled to handle him somewhat roughly. In passing, the Upper Refuge lor the Lower, he attempted to provoke a breach of the peace with the inmates there. Vanstone is a comparatively young man; his age as appears on my book is 48. From a physical point" of view he is perfectly healthy and is exceptionally active and powerful, so much so that he was called ' the strong man' in the laundry, where I had, by considerable coaxing, employed him to work, his only trouble being a real, or as / believe, a feigned ocular defect. The same individual has, I understand, previously terrorised the inmates and former management of the Lower Refuge. The swelling and discoloration of the eye, as made so much of by the Stab, was caused by a fall, which he received in' one of his frenzied and drunken rushes upon myself. Speaking from a humane and charitable standpoint, I see no good redeeming feature'in him. " P.S.—Dr. Giles in his examination did not ask the question, neither did I answer him, to the effect that the injury to Vanstone's eye was caused by myself. Will you, sir, and gentlemen, if you think it necessary, kindly request the reporter present to extract and publish a statement from the above to clear away any erroneous impressions that may obtain in the minds of a section of the public by the perusal of the contemptible, scurrilous, anddefamatory effusions which have appeared in the press iv reference to my action in Vanstone's case, and which have been a source of much pain to Mrs Moss and myself. Will you just allow mef'to add that with 95 per cent, of the inmates I get along admirably ; it is only the remaining few who are depraved and utterly demoralised and imbecile, that I have trouble with. I shall continue as I have begun to carry out my promised policy of judicious firmness, tempered with kindness, and which I am cure will ultimately be successful." Mr Swales thought the man Vanstone, who was outside, ought to be heard on the matter. Mr Mays moved that Mr Moss's report be received and handed to the reporters to make what extracts they like. This motion was carried. The Chairman said he did not see that the Board had anything to do with comments on the case. Mr Mays said it was very evident the man was not a fit case for the Refuge. He would only give trouble. ' Mr Dignan eaid as they seemed to be relapsing into a discussion on the matter, it would be as well to have it out at once, " It anything is to be done, let us have it done now and be done with him." At length Vanstone was brought in and asked to say what he wanted. He stated that he was incapable of making a living outside, and wished to get back to the Refuge. He had tried to get work, but found he could not get about very well. In reply to Mr Swales he said be knew nothing of the blow to his eye till he heard Mr Moss speak of it in Court. The general opinion of the Board was that Vanstone was no fit subject for the Refuge, and that a mistake had been made in ever admitting him there. It was also thought that there should be more supervision of cases, and that all should be sent through the medium of the Board. The notion that once a person got into the Refuge he was there for life must be quite broken up. Mr Mays moved, Mr Bollard seconded, and it was unanimously carried, •* That no patienta be admitted from the Hospital to the Refuge except upon the recommendation of the Charitable Aid Committee to the Board." Mr Kidd mentioned other matters that required attention at the Refuges. He said there was one man so mad that he tore the clothes off himself, and nearly battered himself to death. He ought to be in the Asylum. The Chairman mentioned that there was a proposal to-supply 30 rough tables for the use of bedridden patients. It was resolved that the Chairman be authorised to obtain them. Owing to the number of small matters requiring attention at the Refuge, it was decided that a Refuge Committee, be apgointed, consisting •of Messrs Lennox, wales, Udy, Bollard, and Kidd.,