NEWS BY MAIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 March 1924, Page 4

NEWS BY MAIL.

TKACH INO PEOPLE TO LIVE WITHOUT WORK. LONDON, December 12. General liootli in a foreword to the annual report of the social work oi the Salvation Army, declares that he is led sometimes to wonder whether what is called the dole —tha tis the indiscriminate distribution of money lor which no labour is required in return —is not almost, if not quite, as great a misfortune as •unemployment itself. ] do not think it is possible (he adds) for the ordinary reader to imagine the moral decline, the mischievous influence over all alike, which spring from this evil thing, for once at least we see how a remedy may be wonso than a disease. The steady receipt ol money for which no equivalent in work is rendered makes against everything that is good in the receiver’s life, f do not hesitate to say that tens of thousands of people in these islands have learned or are learning at this very time to live without work—-and for the young people especially this is a most disastrous experience. FOUR LIVES FOR A TOY. RERUN, December 12. Johannes Ilousler, an engine-driver, saw a bit of lead in the railway yard and put it in his pocket with the idea of using it for making some toy soldiers for his grandson. An inspector of the State Railway saw him pick up the lead and had him suspended for stealing.

“I no more thought ol stealing Ilia I should if I had picked up a daisy, said Johannes.

Tliis happened more than a year ago, and last week the matter came before the Disciplinary Court at Potsdam, which decided that Johannes should lie dismissed from the employment of the State. AVhen ho heard 'llie verdict he said that he could not 2,0 through life under dishonour, and yesterday, when he went to see his old mates and say farewell ho cried. After this he went home and shot dead his wife , his son and his daughter. Then he shot himself through the head. MEDICAL PATSY. LONDON, December 12. Complaints have Sheen received by Scotland Yard concerning a man who has victimised many London doctors by a story of temporary financial emliarassment. To all his dupes he tells a somewhat similar story. lie is returning to some part of County Down, County Arm ugh, or County Donegal to take up an appointment as a school medical officer. He was, lie says, educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and qualified at the Dublin Royal College of Surgeons. The man is always short of his railway fare. He speaks with a glib Trisli tongue and is becoming known as the “Medical Patsy.” The police description of the mail is: Age 00, oft lOin or sft llin , fresh complexion, aquiline nose, brown hair, grov eyes medium build, clean shaven, and smart appearance.