To the Editor of the New Zealander.

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 664, 25 August 1852, Page 3

To the Editor of the New Zealander.

Sir, — Will you allow me to direct attention to a really serious grievance of which the poor patients at the Colonial Hospital have had almost daily reason to complain of late. I wondered when I read ; over Mr. Brown's letter, in which the Hospital is mentioned, that he took no notice of a matter of which I cannot think he is altogether ignorant. It appear that one person, himself an honest tradesman, has contracted for the general supplies required nt the Hospital, and has arranged with the representative of a company, carrying on the butchering business in Shortlandstreet, to supply the article of fresh meat as daily required. The contract price for meat is five pence per pound, and the contractor it Appears pays that sum to these butchers, that they may have no excuse for not furnishing meat of the very best quality. Instead of the best desci'iption of meat, however, for which these people are paid, being sent up to the hospital, the worst kmd,and the coarsest pieces, < are usually supplied, and not unfrequcntly has it happened that the bulk of the days' ration has been of bone. It was only the other day that out of a piece of ten pounds supplied, seven or eight pounds were bone. The patients are allowed a certain number of ounces each for dinner, but those who have charge of them cannot, out of the sort of stuff that, is furnished, put be- I fore them anything like the quantity allowed; j — and at the hour it reaches the hospital, there is no alternative but either to take it as it comes, or return." it, which would involve the delay of formal inspection and replacement, and deprive the suffering inmates for hours of the nourishment so necessary for them. Now, Sir, I think this is a crying shame, and should be exposed. I understand a representation has been made to the proper officials, and no doubt steps will be taken to remedy the abuse. The difficulty is how to reach the coldhearted offenders — for it is well known that the contractor himseJf furnishes every other article, over which ho has immediate control, of the very best description, but the arrangement by which the meat is supplied leaves his character as a contractor almost entirely at the mercy of those eelfish butchers. Really before some men boast so loudly of their patriotism and fitneßa for public posts of consequence-, they should, at least lefc the world see that they study the principles of common humanity. — I remain, Sir, &c, Sympathy.

To the Editor of the New Zealander. Sir, — You will oblige me by allowing the following correspondence a place in your paper tomorrow. — Yours &c., Ay Elector.

Auckland, August 24, 1852. Sin, — Not having had any opportunity of knowing your views on the subject of Education, and the principles on which aid from the public funds should be granted for its support, may I, as an Elector who, with many others, regard this as a vital question, beg to ask you — Do you hold as an essential and immutable principle that the foundation of knowledge should bo laid in the truths of Revealed .Religion ? And would you require that in any system of education aided by public funds the Scriptures should have their rightful place ? I remain, Sir, Your obedient servant, An Elector. To J. O'Neill, Esq.

Srn, — I have the honour (o acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this day's date, and, in answer beg to say, in relation to Grants for Educational purposes, that all public monies set apart for those purposes should be entrusted to the Heads of the three Missionary bodies engaged in the extension of Christianity in New Zealand, to be applied by them, under the inspection of authorised persons, exclusively to the maintenance of Schools for the Education of orphan, destitute, half-caste, and native children ; — and I would be opposed to any sum being given from the Public funds in aid of any merely secular system of Education. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, J. O'Neili/. Auckland, August 24, 1852.