INEBRIATES' HOME.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 831, 18 March 1909, Page 3

INEBRIATES ' HOME.

DEFENCE OF PAKATOA ISLAND Some most ungrateful and ungenerous criticisms have recently been levelled against the management of the Salvation Army Home at Pakatoa Island by. ex-inmates who have failed to appreciate the efforts made on their behalf. It was pleasing, therefore, (says the Otago Daily Times), to learn from an old man who has just returned from a 12 months' stay on the island that some at least of the inmates are anxious to express their gratitude for the kindness shown them. Our informant, who wears a Baltic medal, and has seen lengthy service in the navy, was most indignant with those who had made complaints. "A kinder lot of men than those in charge I never met," he said. "I spent some of the happiest months of my life there — if it had not been for the growlers, though they have not been quite so bad these last six months. I*in a strange old fellow from the Russian war," he added, ft and I told them straight they^ ought to be shot." The food, he said, was always abundant, and of the very best, and he was very grateful to Mr Widdowson for having sent him there. The management was perhaps inclined to be too easy with some of them, with the result that the' good, honest men did most oT the work, while the others loafed. Concerts were held at the Home every month, and when any of the inmates were leaving a special entertainment was got up in their honour. "Some of them have- no right to be there at all," he declared. "They spoiled the potatoes I had planted by pouring salt water on them, and called me an old fool for working for my living." The manager was extremely considerate, and sometimes came and told him he was working too hard. "Don't send blackguards "or ruffians there," he concluded ; and then his eye caught the medal he was proudly fingering, 'Eh, it was a pleasure to go to fight the Rooshans.'