A PITIABLE CASE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2045, 4 May 1893, Page 4

A PITIABLE CASE.

At last week's meeting of the Benevolent Trustees, a respectable-looking man appeared before the trustees seeking aid. He stated that about a fortnight ago he arrived in the colony from Sydney, and ever since he had been in a destitute state. He was unable to get work. Latterly he had been sleeping out, and had only been eating one meal a day. The Chairman stated that the man had got an order for a bed at the institution on the previous night. The Secretary observed that the man had arrived at the institution about 8 o'clock and left early the following (Wednesday) morning without having his breakfast. The Chairman : Why did you leave the institution this morning without having your breakfast? The Applicant: I did not know the order included breakfast. The Chairman : Where did you have your breakfast ? , The Applicant: I bad none. The Chairman : Well, have you had your dinner ? The Applicant (laughing): I haven't had any dinner. I only have one meal a day, and I'm getting quite used to it. I'll soon be able to go without meals altogether. The Chairman replied that if that were so the man had no need to apply for admission to the institution. The Applicant: Well, I thought I would let you know the state I'm in, as I might soon be a candidate Jor the hospital or the cemetery. In answer to further questions, the man stated that he had been in the employ of the Government in New South Wales, but a couple of doctors had got him into a lunatic asylum because they stated lie was not quite right in the "upper storey." He considered their action was totally unjustified. He had a wife and family in Sydney. The other night a gentleman named Mr White had kindly given him shelter, and also breakfast on the following morning. He also offered to allow him to remain till he got some employment, but he considered he had no right to take advantage of his generosity to such an extent. It was decided to admit the man to the institution in the meantime.