Correspondence.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5270, 29 May 1895, Page 2

Correspondence.

The following letter is reprinted from the Lyttelton Times * —

CHABITABLE AID.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sib,— l have addressed the following latters to the Charitable Aid Board today:— _ ' ■

" The bearer (a feeble man, sixty-f our years of age) has been Bleeping out all night (in the park), and came to me this morning in a pitiable state of Lunger' and nisery. We have given him his breakfast aod now beg to hand him to you. We will shelter him if you wish us to do bo. He sietna too old to work and ia a destitute •wanderer." '■■■ • "The bearer haß been sleeping four nights in a hay-loft and last night in the pirk. Through an accident he is unable tt work. We shall be glad to shelter him if you wish ye to do ao. The Government j d>ea not desire to have men Bleeping out j tlis weather; and we shall be glad to act at your auxiliary to provide for these djstitute men, since neither the Governncent nor the public wish them to be unctred for. The man is painfully wretched fcr want of underolotbing." The officials of the Board declined to render any help to the old man until they hid instructions from the Board. With tie Rev O'Bryen Hoare, I waited on the oficials to plead for the younger man, but tbe answer waß, " We are unable to assist in any way, or to take him in here, without instructions from the Board," Should tfceee destitute men, one of whom had a coat given him by a constable to cover hia nakedness, be regarded as having no claim on the Charitable Aid Board until it instructs its officials ? While the time passes by, should suoh men continue to st*rvo ? Is this forced waiting in harmony with tbe law ? What ib tho opinion of the ratepayers who have to put their hands in their pockets to keep such men aa are referred to from death ?— I am, &c, WILLIAM BIRCH, Pastor.