WILLIAM WHITELEY HOMES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2088, 24 May 1907, Page 3

WILLIAM WHITELEY HOMES.

THOUSANDS OF PITIFUL APPLICATIONS.

. Sacksfi.il of pathetic letters, written by respectable old people, men and women', wlio have gone under in the stern;battle of life, anjd who, 111 old ago, are faced with the dread prospect of the workhouse, or slow starvation outside, says a recent Daily Mail, have been received by the trustees under Mr. William

Wliiteley’s will. The late “universal provider” left £1,000,000 to found tile “William \V hiteley Homes.” The inmate.must be of good character, and ol sound mind, and men not less than 0o years of age, and the women not less than 60.

Since the first published intimation -tho bequest, some few weeks ago, applications have poured in from every part of England, while there have been numerous letters from Scotland, and a few from Ireland. The total number already received amounts to some thousands. One old man, 97 years of age, tells a pitiful tale of unsuccessful endeavor and destitution, and numerous letters have been received from men and women between 85 and 90 years of age. These poor old people seem -.to think tjiat the scheme will be in <pperation, and. the homes ready for Occupation isNr few weeks’ time. Tide fact is that considerable tsme must elapse before the necessary? arrangements can bo concluded, -iand the homes eirected. . Tho application letters provide pitiful reading. Aged tradesmen tell ' of their sad life history of misfortune after misfortune which has befallen them, of strenuous fights'" against decreasing business, and of declining years. Surely, they plead, their cases fulfil the conditions of tho will Thon numerous letters’have been receiyed from clergymen, of differeni j Tliev, too, tell sac tdories of destitution/and want, anc plead for favorable*, consideration ..Doctors and lawyerj- 1 ’ lhave ! applied . .and a very large.niUeber of ex-lodg • • iughousetheopers.