CATHOLIC ORPHANS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 13886, 21 October 1905, Page 10

CATHOLIC ORPHANS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —The recent disclosures in regard to the management of the Charitable Aid Board’s Orphanage and more particularly the practically admitted persecution of the two unfortunate little Catholic orphans, and the ridicule heaped upon them because of their religion, certainly calls for more definite treatment than a .majority of the Board members appear disposed to effect. To quote a passage from your exceedingly just editorial, for which you deserve the thanks of all possessing humane instincts: “The matter cannot be allowed to remain where the Board left it.” It is perfectly clear the .matron is not by any stretch of the imagination a fit, and proper person to be in charge of children, and if the powers that be will not carry out what is obviously their simple duty to the public then public opinion must asI sort its rights, and with no uncertain- | ty at all about it. There are a few i other little things that require “ wipj ing off the slate ” in reference to Board matters, on© of. which is why a paid | official and servant of the public should have such unlimited scope. In most matters he appears to constitute the Board and run things practically as he pleases. I would strongly advocate the organisation of an indignation meeting immediately, at which Mr George Scott, the one member of the Beard who has the confidence of his opinion, and the rights and ' interests of the community at heart, can be heard, and the knowledge he possesses passed on for the benefit of all without being gagged • by his fellow-members when anything not quite to their liking is proposed to be ventilated. Mr Scott and those valiant lady members of the Board are deserving of sincerest thanks for the noble way they performed their duty at the recent meeting, a part that will not soon be forgotten. As for Mrs Peachey, she, too, is _ worthy of admiration for her humanity and deserving of all the recognition a grate- ■ ful public can bestow, in having the courage to come forward in the cause of suffering childhood, interested only ‘ in so much that she observed abuses

being perpetrated, 'and with, the nobility of her womanhood sought os best she knew how to see such practices ended.—l am, etc., PERCY VERB.