ASHBURTON OLD MEN'S HOME.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4544, 16 November 1882, Page 3

ASHBURTON OLD MEN'S HOME.

♦ The following report of the Mayor of Ashburton and Mr J. E. March, appointed to enquire into the charges made by William Mann against the master of the Old Men's Home at Ash burton, has been handed to us for publication :— "Ashburton, 10th Nov., 1883. " Sir, — We have the honour to report that, in terms of a resolution passed by the Hospital and Oharitable Aid Board, we held an enquiry at the ABhburton Home this day, respecting cortain allegations made by a late inmate of the Home, named William Mann, against the master, to the effect that he, William Mann, had been knooked down by the master, and otherwise ill-treated. The evidenoe of Dr Trevor, the medioal officer of tho institution, Mr Harris, the master, W. Mann, the late inmate, and Thomas Thompson, James M'Grath, John Norton, Henry Jones, Qeorge Fuller, Alfred James Siordet, and William Ootterell, now inmates of the Home, together with the evidenoo of Sergeant Felton and Constable Smart is attaohed. The real facts of the case are briefly as follows : — William Mann was admitted to the Home on the 6th January, 1882. On his admission it was found that ho was covered with vermin, and it was absolutely necessary to put him through a bath. This treatment Mann Btrongly objected to, and wished to leave tho Homo, und be sent to England. He appears to havo made sevc ml applications I to tho medical officer to recommend his application. Ittileo appears from the medical officer's testimony that he was always complaining and discontented with everything. The master of tho Home consulted the medical officer as to the best course to adopt with an inmate who was so discontented, and did not want to remain. Dr Trevor recommended that in thul caep the best plan would he to let him go. On Oct. 20 Mann left the Institution, and wag found in ono of tho hotels drinking. He refused to return to the Homo on tho ground that he had been illtreated by tbo master. In reply to a diroct question, Mann slated that he had not been ill-treatod ; at the same time he charged the master -with knocking hitn down. The evidonce of Sorgeant Folton clearly proves thai Mann's word is not to be relied on in any way, and his conduct during the lime of tho enquiry convinced us that he is a man unablo to control his tempor. From the evidence brought forward we do not think that the master of the Home ill-treated Mann in any way; but we think his conduot open to consuro in not complying with a request made by the polico for nim to attend and give ovidenoe in Court. It is right that wn should add that all the inmates wcro Bssomblod in the day-room, and each inmate was asked if he had any complaint to mnko. All roplied in tho negative, with the excoption of one, who complained of partiality shown by the nisstor and matron in their treatment. Boverul inmates expresied their thankfulness that there was such an ins ilution as the Homo. — We have, tec., "Donald Williamson. "J. E. Mabch. "H. Thomson, Esq., Chairman Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, Ohriitohurch."