THE DANE CASE: A DEFENCE OF RICHMOND.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIII, Issue XLIII, 8 June 1909, Page 1

THE DANE CASE : A DEFENCE OF RICHMOND.

IO THE HDIIOE. Sir, — Tlie letter on the Dane cast "From a Father," copied in the "Mail" from the "Wellington Post," throws the onus of the sad state of affairs in that family upon the Church and people of Richmond, the Nelson Education Board, and, by implication, the Richmond School Committee and teachers. The family came to Richmond lrom Nelson, about three years ago ; whether They were sent here by the Charitable Aid authorities or not, is somewhat uncertain. Richmond people generally, if they did not accord them a welcome, at least treated them with kindness. Minis ters of both churches have taken special pains to help them. Four children, including the offending laci, went to Richmond School, where they have been kindly treated. The lad's behaviour was, to say the least of it, inconsistent with the peace and safety of the other pupils, and he was allowed to leave, subsequently obtaining employment. That this lenient treatment Tias not had a salutary effect upon the boy's conduct, can hardly be called the fault of the school authorities. The failure of all efforts to remedy the evil influences which surround this unfortunate family should have the effect of inducing the authorities to take decisive action in rescuing the three remaining children, while there is yet a chancr of saving them from the. fate which has overtaken other members of the family. The fact that very little complaint about >lie conduct of the three younger children has b:.2n made by the school teachers Tuaht to encourage all lovers of humanity 'o do what is possible to place them in healthy .surrounding,?— both physical and moral— and to do it at once. I am, elc , . RICHMOND RESIDF.NT. j ■:=- I