COST OF DISCOURTESY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20562, 13 May 1930, Page 9

COST OF DISCOURTESY.

BENEFACTIONS CANCELLED.

PHILANTHROPIST SNUBBED,

SYDNEY. May 12. An elderly man, quietly dressed, who with bis wife had been visiting Sydney and contributing largely to various philanthropic institutions, called at tho office of one institution of tho kind a few days ago and asked to seo the officer in charge. Misled by tho unpretentious exterior of tho caller tho secretary curtly intimated that ho must know his business before an interview with his chief would bo possible. Tho caller said the matter was rather private, hut the institution stood to benefit considerably. The secretary's indignation was aroused, and he exclaimed: "If you cannot state your business it cannot bo done." The visitor replied quietly: "Please tell tho officer in charge that through the discourtesy of his secretary the institution loses this." He showed the secretary a cheque for £IO,OOO, and then tore it up before the thunderstruck official's eyes. Tho would-be benefactor was Mr. Charles McNcss, of Perth, who macle a fortune in that city and now spends his time helping deserving objects. Recently Mr. McNess sent a telegram to tho Prime Minister, Air. J. H. Scullin, offering £IO,OOO if needed for a certain worthy cause. That messago was not answered, so another substantial chequo was cancelled.