CORRESPONDENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6995, 10 January 1901, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

A COMPLAINT. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,— Allow me a small space in your paper (to which I have been a constant subscriber of over twelve years' standing) to draw the attention of the Charitable Aid Board and the clergymen of the Addington district to a case of misdirected assistance rendered by them. In a certain street, not far from the main thoroughfare of Selwyn Street, stands a habitation, wherein lives a family of six. A few nights ago the police had to be called in. by a neighbour in consequence of the father (having cut the mother's head open, and for the last year these quarrels have been poing on both day and night, to the great discomfort of the immediate neighbours. Also for the last twelve months the four children have 'been, kept in a very ragged state. This is a matter for surprise, as I fcave been informed' by respectable people living in the district tihat the family in question not only receives help from the Charitable Aid Board, but also from the resident clergyman. The public might want to know why a oomplaint bus not been made to the police. Such a complaint has been made, and the complain&nts have been told that they must summon tie offenders. For my part I would sooner bear anything than -go to court, and in fact would 1 not have written this letter were it not that I have a hope that if it is .published it will be the means of getting the poor little children away from a place where they will cease to heaa v the vilest language all day long and, far into the night, and wihere they will get decent food and be kept clean. — I am, etc., PITY. Christ-church, Jan. 9.