THE COSTLEY HOME ENQUIRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9011, 17 October 1892, Page 3

THE COSTLEY HOME ENQUIRY.

TO THE EDITOR. ■ • "• Sir,lt may be, I hope it is so. that in my far away country home I have been movea by the revelations in this inquiry more tna-o the inhabitants of Auckland city. 1® 18 " yond my province to go into details, ana measure ouS blame, n any, i dividuals, but on the .face of'it oMcaanofc help fe«ling tierribly grieved that the savings of good old Edward Coatley are bemg so

used. Among the many variations we have developed in these colonies as against the old country it is not to be wondered at that the colonial pauper (horrible connection) should vary from the paupers we were used at the Home. I have no word other than respect, almost admiration, for the enduring heroism shown by the aged, ill-paid toilers in .England, as they struggle against becoming chargeable to "the parish but when they nave to succumb the training of their lives tends to make them readily fall in prescribed rule. I am carefully noting the changes taking (place in England. Very often, with all reverence I say 'thank God," as I see one step after another taken, evidencing increased kindness and comfort. As we are acquainted with colonial life we have a right „™? P *vi l ,* ril prepares any of us to live > confortably under the restraints it is considered necessary to impose in a laree establishment. And her* as I write m li ab «T hment '" the question arises in SL,?S?*rt. Is , not this so-called Costley Home another huge Auckland blunder "I do not remember the terms of the bequest; but it seems to me that, if it had been pos££&£3PA" 8 * w .° uld have been t»tter employed n the erection of a number of small comfortable cottages In the outskirts of many towns in England we have rows of almshouses, some of them in very pretty grounds. 1 am not fond of the English name; we should not have to seek far for a better one; these with us would have been true Costley Homes," and they would not have required a, lady boss." I cannot catch the full meaning of the chairman's pot of black paint. So far as I can understand it lam thinking that some of it will stick to him. Anyway, instead of painting the poor old naked woman, it would be better to use the paint in obliterating that " regulation" that appeared in the papers in all its naked ugliness. I have once more to express anxiety lest I should be falling into error; but 1 do not understand how the administration of Edward Costley's money got into the hands of the Charitable Aid Board. As I take it, the chairman puts the result in a very coarse form when he sunk the "Home" into the " workhouse." The whole subject bristles with questions too difficult for me to deal with, but this much is certain that just as Auckland city has been blessed beyond, perhaps, any other city south of the line with benefactors, so does the responsibility rest on the shoulders of all the citizens to see to it that the trusts are employed.to the best advantage. Those of us who have to struggle in the country may feel, as we do, a little pride as we claim a small share in the treasures of the Art Gallery and Free Library, although we may live for years together without having the chance to see them. But I am not alone in saying that, inasmuch as this Costley Home inquiry touches an administration, that, again, touches the lives of the aged poor, is plainly shown that the men who may succeed in administering the Art Gallery may fail rather badly in the more humble work. am, etc., JP Bay of Islands, June 28,1892.