THE BOROUGH RATE.

Kumara Times, Issue 2559, 4 September 1884, Page 2

THE BOROUGH RATE.

[to the editor.] Sir—The controversy respecting the above matter is now getting (as usual) i into a personal encounter, otherwise I should not have troubled you with this effusion. The original cause of difference of opinion is nearly lost sight of, yet, considering its importance, perhaps the subject has nob received undue prominence. But, I take it, there can have been found no better way of cheap advertising than has been adopted by the Mayor, for his own purposes. Nine out of ten men must agree with your view of the case. But when, in addition to barefaced assertions, Mr Hannan descends from his " lofty pedestal " with a whip, it would be strange indeed if among your many readers, not one could lie found to answer him. The writer for one might stand an Irish bull, but cannot see a good horse being beaten by a mare. Nemesis. Kumara, September 4, 1884. MRS. PPAFF AND HER CHILD. [to the editor.] Sir—Truth is truth, however unpalatable ; and if Dr. Monckton had been truthful in his report to the Board of Health about my child, I may not have complained about it to the public. I think when a medical man is called in to see a patient, his duty is to point out sanitary requirements, as well as to prescribe medicines. All Dr. Monckton did in the case of my child was to send six powders and a small quantity of oil to apply to the sores; he said nothiog to me about food or cleanliness, because such remarks would be unnecessary and uncalled for. "With regard to his report to the Board of Health as to eruptions bein<* aggravated by a want of proper attention to cleanliness and whulescme food.

that is a most false assertion ; and I can confidently appeal to my neighbours who have known me for years, who will testify that I have always kept, my house and children clean. The doctor also says that the complaiufc is not infectious and is sometimes caused by scrofula, also to the want of wholesome food and soap and water (or in other words, neglect), and also to teething. How is it, then, that he has been so unkind and ungenerous as to say that in my child's case it was caused by neglect 1 I have had other advice, and it is to the effect that the eruptions was induced by difficult dentition. The child is 12 months old, and its first teeth are now coming through the gums. I also deny that any of my children suffered from a like complaint. My husband being ill and in the Greymouth Hospital, I am obliged to maintain my family myself. If such shameful reports are allowed to go uncontradicted, it deprives me of a living, and I trust you will kindly insert this letter. Kathleen Cardiff Pfaff. September 3, 1884.