RACHEL'S APPEAL.

Evening Star, Issue 6480, 22 December 1883, Page 4

RACHEL'S APPEAL.

: s'o T):.Z 3MTOK. Siß,—Permit ma in acknowledge la the Star the, following amouuts which have been forwarded to nte in response to the above appeal : MrMacNeill, L22s; friend, 21a ; two children, Js9it > J»B?ow«. 4a j stamps, Is 6d and 23 } Mr Smith, 5s : Mr Mendorßbansen,. 10a 6d; sympathiser, sa; friend, 2s; Miss Chrintlan, 10s; Mr* (Sparrow, 2s 6d; Anoa, 20s and 2s 6d; Mr

Elliot, 10a ; Mrs Hindle, 53; per Mr Hartley, 1-3; friend, Hk; Fergusson and Mitchell, L2 2s; Rev. #, Eerry (lecture fund), 20a; total, Ll4 sa, " Rachel" asks me to hold over the money for a few days until she can decide how best to use it for the poor children, I have also received several bundles of children's clothes, which are very acceptable. Permit me to add that, whilst I am glad to be the channel of communication between "Rachel" and the aboveSohfcributors, my name was used in thto fcpffoal without my knowledge or consent. As soon, however, as I heard of the distress of this family t Visited them, and found that, as 'far £s t 'Oould judge, the facts were as she had Ifct them down. When !f made this call on Wednesday last I also found out tliat the family were connected with a Christian congregation in the north of the City. Under these circumstances "Rachel" Bhould, if she wrote at all, have used the name of the clergyman of this church, who was best qualified to confirm her statements or otherotherwJse, There should, however, be no difficulty in excusing " Rachel" in this case, considering the painful circumstances under which the loiter was written.-—! am, etc., JOSEfcH BEBIIY. Dunedin, Decsmber 21,

TO TITS EtilTOk. S*B,—Wednesday's SirAß cdntalns a Jotter signed "Rachel,",giving a higmy sensational account of tho sufferings «>? a destitute family and qf the death of the mother from "cold and want" nine days after her confinement. Permit me to stole what I know about this case. The family referred to moved Into this parish three months ago, and at once became pensioners on the charity tund of All Saints' Church. We havo been giving them 23 6d, and later 5s a-week. This was all the help we thought necessary as the father, an able-bodied w an, a carpenter, though out of work, was getting occabional jobs, and one girl was in service. The lady district visitor for that part of the parish called regularly to give this money, and directed tho mother to send to her house or to Oomrle's grocery for anything else the family might require. Two days after the woman's confinement the district visitor called, and was informed that they wanted for nothing. On Saturday last, three days before the mother's death, the children got six shillings' Worth of groceries from Mr (Jomrie, and were told that they had credit for more. Tho Clothing Club also gave some help, and "Rachel" herself, who visited the honso frequently, assisted with money collected by her for use in charity. "Rachel's" letter omits mention of these facts, and represents to the public that the poor woman died of " cold and want." How came !i ßachel" to permit Buch a catastrophe when she knew that there were two or three charitable agencies ready to give any help required? When I asked ".Rachel" this question last night, pointing out to her at the same time the grievous misrepresentation contained in her letter to the Staß, sho replied that, though visiting the family frequently, she "did not perceive that .the woman wanted any necessary." I may add that Dr Gillies informs me that the cause of death was clot of blood on the brain. Your readers must often have suspected that tho tragic historios "Rachel" has been accustomed to furnish to the Star were somewhat over-colored. That suspicion will now be confirmed, "Rachel's" purpose is good, but her habit of exaggeration does harm to the cause she wants to serve.—l am, etc., A, R. FITCHKTT. All Saints' Panttnago, December 20,1883.