MR. C. F. HOLMES' CASE.

Kumara Times, Issue 2992, 5 June 1886, Page 3

MR. C. F. HOLMES' CASE.

[to the editor.] Sir—l think there ought to be an end to insult added to injury line as elsewhere. I now refer to one in our midst who for the last nine years misfortune has made, as it were, its particular target. It lihs been said and said again that Mr C. F. Holmes had pleaty of money. When he tried to give a lecture and charged admittance so as to enable him to go fo the Waiweia Hot Springs for-his health, T, like many others, laughed at tha idea of pretended poverty; but when I saw the poor man and family Sold out of house ;»nd home, working tools and ftu'iucure, and, worst of all in one of

tho most miserable hovels in town, then, Sir, I made it my duty to inquire what is the reason, and I have got it from the beat authority that he has been sold out of all he bad under very extraordinary circumstances, and no one knows anything about it. Mr Holmes told me that he would challenge all the banks in the country to prove contrary to that he hns not had as much as a pound in the bank since he was burned out, and all the money earned, owned, or handled for the last nine months was forty-two pounds; and to keep a family of seven out of that, there can be nothing left. Sir, this is a matter which in all humanity demands inquiry. Suppose that Mr Holmes becomes totally paralysed, and everybody believes that he has money, his poor family may perish in our midst. Let some one of those who claim " Faith, Hope, and Charity " as their motto make proper inquiry, and if they find my words to be true, let us get up a sentimental concert or some kind of entertainment for his benefit, and I believe Hokitika and Greymouth will do the same. That may enable Mr Holmes to take his family away, and himself go to the Hot Springs for the good of his health. It is quite evident that if this case of sickness goes on as it is now, that eventually we shall have to keep the whole family. He was refused admittance to the local Hospital because his ticket was run out, but if he gets worse he will have to be admitted. Medical men have said he must go to the Springs. Mr R. J. Seddon, M.H.R., started a testimonial list for Mr Holmes, before he went away; but, people being prejudiced with the notion that Mr Holmes had money, there was none to go round with the list. This is the true fact of the affair. I enclose a pound note as my donation to the list. Pay yourself for the insertion of this letter out of that pound, and please forward the balance, if any, to Mr Holmes.—l remain, dear Sir, yours truly, Samaritan. Dillmnn's Town, June 4, 1886. [We have handed the £1 to Mrs Holmes, Mr Holmes not being in at the time.—Ed. K.T.]