“LAME DOGS."

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 452, 10 March 1909, Page 5

“LAME DOGS."

HELPED OVER THE STILE. BY THE BENEVOLENT TRUSTEES, A .variety of lame dogs were helped over stiles by tlio Benevolent Trustees at their meeting yesterday afternoon. There were present. Messrs. 6. Smith (in the chair), E. \V. Short, J. AVakeliam, 11. Robertson, and the Rev. W. A. brans. .A blind Chinaman, who applied for admission to the Oliiro Howe, caused some perplexity to the trustees. It was suggested that the Celestial might not find himself in clover when he came among the other inmates. On tha other hand, the Chinaman's was evidently a hard case, as ho had 110 relatives in China or Mew Zealand. Ho had been 35 years in this country. The Court interpreter explained the caso to tho trustees, who suggested that his countrymen should look after tho applicant, tho trustees making a monetary allowance towards his maintenance. It was stated that ho could not very well be admitted to tho home, since he would need constant individual attention. The interpreter agreed to do his best. in the matter. A destitute woman of 80, who had before her tho alternative of gaol ijr the Ohiro Home, was recommended to tho homo by Mrs. Beck, matron at the police station. It would be cruel to sentence the old woman for ragranfcy, as sho was an old age pensioner, but tiie trouble of admitting her to the home was that sho had been there before, and would never stay. Mrs. Beck advised that tho woman should be taken to the home, and she promised that if tho authorities would advise her as often as the inmato strayed away, she would see to- her return. Mr. Robertson suggested that tho secretary of the home (Mr. A. 11. Trucbridge) might lie appointed a'special constable with powers of. detention, but Mr. Truebridgo modestly declined the honour. It was agreed to take the old lady provided some order could be mado by the magistrate w;hich would assure her stay. ' Mrs. Beck observed that the woman was not a bad woman, and it was deplorablo to think that she might liavo to go to gaol in a civilised community. All unusual communication was received from a.former inmate of the Ohiro Home, who had been assisted by tho trustees to go to Gisborno,. where he hoped to find work. The man wrote that lie had found work, roadmaking, and'was glad to be able to refund the amount of his passage money, which had l>?en paid by the board, Is. received 011 another account, and 55,, received some months before from the secretary. He was sorry that ho had not been able to refund the money before, but "better late thau never." The trustees were much gratified by the letter.