"THE LITTLE LONELY BOY."

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 6 May 1890, Page 2

"THE LITTLE LONELY BOY."

TO THE BUITOR Of THE MANAWATO HERALD. Sir,— During my brief residence in Foxton, I have reail with interest and pleasure some of your able leading articles ; but certainly think you have missed the mark in yoiu I Rvticle on "The Little Lonely Boy" iv last Friday's issue. As to the evil, there can bo but one opinion : but as to the remedy, I for one, must differ with you. It seems to me that the •mall hoy is not on the streets because the home is too small for him, hut because his father neglects his duty towards him. Ihav« been in most of the homes in the district and, with but few exceptions, hav«i found them quite large enough for the familieV which they contain ; and I have foiind elsewhere, as well as here, that, mnn.v fathers take but little interest in their boy 9, and do not trouble themselves as to theft whereabonts »t- nights. I fail to see, Sir, that it i« the duty ol tht Chnrch or the cocamuaity t* tiki tkc

ilaoe of parents, and this, it aeenas to me, ivould he the case if the course you suggest c were followed. An occasional evening's - imuseineut and instruction is all very well ; »nd this the Church, which I represent, is about to supply in the shape of a " Band of I Hope." But, to provide a place where c children might meet night after night would * increase the evil, instead of diminishing it ; i for it would give the bova a distaste for • home, and destroy that home-life which should be the safeguard of every family. Mothers usually take care of the girls by providing music, sewing, fancy-work, 4rc, for them. Should not the lathers do their duty by the hoys ? If the fathers provided garner for the boys, and interested themselves more in their pursuits, I think, the streets would soon be cleared of the lads, and the welfare of the rising generation would be largely assured. Then, Sir, you flay, "it has been always a matter of surprise to us that not a single Minister of any denomination is this town has ever made the faintest effort to reduce the evil." This is a sweeping assertion, and of course, being a new-comer, I caonot say what others have done ; but, on the first day of my arrival, I saw the evil, and have spoken about it, and that, Sir, is qmts as much as you have done. A^aiu, you say, " Unfortunately the clergymen we have met in this district seem to think their duty commences on Sunday morning and ends on Sunday evenings." Your knowledge of Ministers and their work must be very limited, ov you have been unfortunate in your acquaintance; for a Minister's work is like a woman's—never done. What with vreek-uijjht meetings, studies, and faraily-viaitiug, his time is fully occupied — his office is no binecure. Personally, it will be my ende&Tour to do my utmost for the social and moral welfare of the town ; and in all questions concerning its prosperity will, I trust, be found on the right side. I have, &c, Jno. Oluhbt. Foston, May 3rd, 1890.