PROVISION FOR SUFFERERS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 379, 19 July 1911, Page 5

PROVISION FOR SUFFERERS.

To The Editor

Sir,—The unfortunate accident to the young man Devereux at Puketiti on Sunday has been responsible for a very considerable amount of feeling with regard to the provisions made in Te Kuiti for the reception ot persons working in the country districts who have had the misfortune to meet with accidents. The story in this instance is a very sad one, and one that should make any community blush with shame. From four o'clock on Sunday afternoon going all night to five on Monday afternoon, Mr R. T. Bailey and others were engaged in bringing the sufferer to Te Kuiti, where hi 3 wants could be attended to. On arrival at Te Kuiti the poor unfortunate sufferer wa3 kept out on the road before anything could be done for him. An appeal to the police to take charge of him was futile, because be was not dead. The doctors had no accommodation, and had it not been for the kindly action of Mr Sims taking the man in he would have had to remain in the cold until train time. Now, Sir, what I want to point out is this: I have been for two years a member of the Waitomo County Council, and during that time our whole discussions and actions have been taken up with the rights of property and ignoring the most sacred rights of all, viz., the rights of mankind. Our local bodies should see that an institution was established for the reception of those who have had the misfortune to meet with accidents in carrying out the work of pioneering. When I reflect and think of the reception of this poor unfortunate man, it makes me think very hard of our professed Christian community. Where Christianity is most found in this country is in our back-blocks where men understand and know each other's hardships and trials. The fact of Mr Bailey and others travelling all night without any food —a period of 25 hours—to have the unfortunate man's sufferings attended to is .the true type of Christianity, and not of that in which is proclaimed from the housetops. It is up to our Borough Council and our County Council to stir themselves and make a move in this matter. I know that the movement would receive the hearty support of every country settler. I would also like to pay a tribute to Mr Sims for the kindly manner in which he attended to the sufferer.—l am, StC " P. O'DWYER.