CRIPPLED POSTMASTER.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 7 September 1925, Page 8

CRIPPLED POSTMASTER.

PETITION FOE PENSION

DOCUMENT WRITTEN WITH FOOT

Many, alas too many, people take pen in hand to petition .Parliament, but this, session is probably the first occasion in which anyone hast used a foot for the purpose. The petitioner is Ernest Collins Moon, of Te Uku, Raglan.

The document which lie has sent forward through the Hon. B. F. Bollard is written with a very blunt indelible pencil, but is quite legible. Mr. Moon states that he was postmaster at Te Uku for over 30 years and wasi a permanent officer. He is 57 years of age and a cripple unable to walk or to use his hands.

“I am obliged to write and do everything with my feet,” he says,, “but, notwithstanding these disabilities, I was a capable officer and able to perform mv postal duties faithfully and well.” v

The post office, which was in the house of his brother-in-law, he had fitted up at his own expense and the department had the use of two rooms, for 30 years rent free. In November last the department erected a new post office, appointed a postmistress, and terminated his employment, giving him £4B, six months, salary, as a retiring allowance. Under his father's will he receives £lO a year a lid! his food, but lie has no means of providing himself with clothing, which costs him about £3O a year. He has been deprived of his living and- is almost destitute, ras he cannot do anything but postal work. Lately he has been ill with a variety of troubles and his money is nearly all gone. “I beg respectfully to ask that a pension be granted me,” he says, “sufficient to enable me to live comfortably,, or a substantial compassionate allowance. T would: not ask for State assistance if T were able, to work for my living, but T had flic misfortune to be born a cripple., Unable to walk and not having the use of my hands I am incapacitated from working. The pension, if granted, would probably have to be paid to me for only a short time, as T am in bad health and may not, live long.” The petitioner adds, that lie once tried to enter the Public Service superannuation scheme, but was informed that he was not eligible.