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New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5370, 1 February 1879, Page 4

" A Patient'* writes a letter about a communication which appeared a fe«r days in our eoluinus, in which, it was alleged that our public iustitutiona—auch as oar gaols, a a ylutas, aud hospitals—were not mauaged iu the bust aud most economical manner. Throughout, the letter is founded upon two utterly-erroneous assumptions — Ist, thafc the allegations were directed ngaiust a particular individual connected with one of our public institutions; and, 2u«, that the communication was written by one who desiies an appointment. In both of ihe»e our present correspondent is utterly mistaken, and therefore we do not print the Jutter. \V»j d«; not profess to be well in* formed respecting the details of tho management of these institution-*, but this we know, that at present they are not subjected to that direct aud miuute supervision which is absolutely necessary to prevent abuses of administration occurring. This is owinn to the relations at present subsisting between the Government aud the loral bodies. The local bodies could manago these institutions, but they will not take over the charge of them from tho Government, fearing that the responsibility will become a costly affair. Ib is abiurd to ♦liink that all these institutions wi 1 continue to he fifteently and ecouomically administered when there is no supervising authority nearer than Wellington. The whole subject must shortly be discussed in all its beariugs, as a change must be made, but meantime, iu referring to it, we must disclaim being actuated by any wish to hit particular individuals.