TE ORANGA HOME.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6625, 15 September 1908, Page 9

TE ORANGA HOME.

The following letter sent by Mr J. H. Fountain to Hon Mr lowids speaks fot itself. Christchurch, Sept 7, 'OS. To the Minister of Education, ro Te Oranga Homo Inquiry. Sir,—l make appeal to you as head of the Education Department to sec that justice is done with respect to the payincut of Mr C. B. Salter's account of X 42 3s Gd, for services rendered as counsel to the inmates of To Oranga Homo at the late inquiry. Ido not think that 1 should pay this account for tne following reasons:— i t That I did.not ask for an inqmij. 1 simply divulged in the public interests certain information received in my capacity as visitor to tho Public Hospital. 2. I'hat iullucnced by public opinion the Government ordered an enquiry, ana therefor© the Government should bear the expense. „ . , 3. That it is manifestly unfair that the girls of tho Home for whom the State stands as guardian should have allowed them no legal advice, in a case which concerned so intimately their welfare, while the Department and officers of tho Home were fully provided with legal assistance. Such a procedure is contrary to British ideas of fairplay. That that spirit of fairplay animates you 1 feel assured, aud that you recognise that tho Department of Education of New Zealand to-day is no more infallible than royalty of aforetime, and just as likely to err. Therefore I have confidence that you will not allow mo.'to bear alone a financial burden which! is the concern of, and should be borne by, the whole of the State. Yours, etc., J. H. FOUNTAIN.