THE OLD MEN'S REFUGE.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1695, 24 July 1875, Page 2

THE OLD MEN'S REFUGE.

To the Editor of the Evening Star.

Sir, —Permit me a small space in your columns to reply to two statements which have appeared in print, relative to the dismissal of an inmate of the Old Men's Refuge for gross insubordination. The "facts" related in the paragraph which first appeared are, with the exception of the following important items, on the whole pretty correct. Ist. The man is not an old man. 2nd. He is not subject to epileptic fits. And 3rd] He is not in any sense blind. Another little unimportant matter that perhaps it would be as well to correct. The manager did not feel sorry for having to tarn the man out after dark, it not being customary with some persons to feel sorrow for what never occurred.—l am, &c. p [Our correspondent also forwards a copy of the official report to the Relieving Officer on the subject, in which Mr Stanton states that James Macdonald, the man discharged, had threatened his life and said he would " swing for him;" and Mrs Stanton had seen him sharpening a knife on the doorstep in such a threatening manner that she was terrified that ho would do her or the children some grevious harm, The report accuses Macdonald of habitul nsubordination and laziness, and says that he is only 33 years of age, and with the exception of being subject to fits (the genuineness of which the master has his doubts about), there is nothing to prevent him from earning his own livelihood.]