THE CHARGE AGAINS THE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4702, 26 May 1883, Page 3

THE CHARGE AGAINS THE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION.

TO THB BDITOB OF THE STAB. Sib, —Mr Hooper ia very fond of appearing in print, but it is a pity he did not make a little enquiry into the case ho alludes to in last evening's Star before making such serious chargoa ugoinßt the Benevolent Association. Statements of this kind, if left unnoticed, are calculated to bring discredit on an institution whose good work is too wellknown to merit suoh oritioism. The following are the facts of the case:— A man named Oompton applied to me perBonally on April 26 for relief • he wbb then apparently the worse for liquor, and in company with a man named Marks, now in gaol for larcony, who was also the worse for drink. Oompton wished to know whether money wes given away, as ho did not want tea or sugar. I told him I had no power to do nay thing for him then, being but the Secretary, but that I would enter hia appli-

cation, and that, if he would call on the following day, his case would be considered by the sub-Committee} in the meantime he should get ft recommendation from somo respectable per* son. His case, but without any reference, was duly considered on the 27th ulfc. by subcommittee, whioh the minutes will show, with the result that it was not entortained. At the same time he was reoommended to apply to the Kduoation Board, on his representation that he wbb an undergraduate of London University. I emphatically deny that the slightest^ discourtesy has in Bny way boen shown him, whioh I am sure he would admit. With regard to his being covered with vermin his actions on his first appeararoe would certainly have justified Buoh a supposition, but I was not actually aware of the faot until Mr Foster, who gave him that night's lodging, found it out to his oost, he having to burn all the bed clothes he slept in. I need go no further, but any more particulars of the above case, of which thoro nro plenty, can be ascertained on application to mo. — I am, &0., W. MOBLEY MILLBB, Secretary, Ghristohuroh Benevolent Association. [We have seen a letter from Mr Foster, of the Coffee Palace, corroborating Mr Miller's statements as to the man's oondition.— Bd. Star."]