CORRESPONDENCE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 87, 13 March 1884, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents).

MR. GRUNER IN REPLY.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I trust you will permit me, through your columns, to reply to a letter signed John W. Matthews, on Monday the 3rd inst., as it is calculated to greatly injure me in the minds of my creditors. Mr. Matthews altogether misconstrues my statement relative to the late Mr. Price, and for reasons I could—but will not—reveal, unless compelled in my own interest. I did not for one moment ever conceive that the public, or those most interested (my creditors), would imagine that I would board and lodge Mr. Price, for a period of eighteen months, without being paid for so doing. The intention I had when making the statement relative to “ not having received any money from Mr. Price,” did not apply to board and lodging, and Mr. Matthews, better than anyone else, knows the many additional attendances required, and rendered. As he has rushed into print, I shall now tell the whole story. Mr. Price was lying dangerously ill at the Albion Club Hotel, and notwithstanding that the attendance was all that could be wished for when hale and hearty, it was not that so essentially necessary for an invalid. Seeing the condition of the sufferer, I suggested to him that he should be removed to my own house. This was done, but much against the wish of my wife. Mr. Price came, was received with all kindnes, and for months was attended by my family and myself as something more than a father-in-law. I may mention here incidentally that Mr. Matthews’ statements being uncalled for, I now state truth in refutation. The writer of the letter signed “ John W. Matthews” knows full well that it was not likely I would or could, in my position of life, keep and attend upon Mr. Price—a gentleman suffering from severe illness and requiring constant surveillance. My statement was to this effect, “ I had received no money from Mr. Price;” but it had allusion to other than “ board and lodging.” My house, from the time of Mr. Price’s advent, became an hospital. Mr. Matthews being a bank manager, doubtless understands figures. I will show him some. Mr. Price required additional rooms, and these I agreed to build, at a cost per specifications of £9O; requiring certain additions and alterations, the deceased gentleman caused me to expend about £l6O. I had also in addition to provide furniture to the value of £7O. Other expenses may be put down at from £2O to £3O. Now, Mr. Price promised that all this should be recouped, and had he lived I have not the slightest doubt it would have been. This teas the money I alluded to. As to the £2 10s. per week —well, it might or might not have been adequate payment, but I will leave it even to a bank manager to judge. In Auckland Mr. Price had to pay £7 per week for himself and nurse; and whether it is more expensive to live there than here I will leave to the good sense of travellers. I am sorry to have been dragged into this somewhat unseemly discussion, Mr. Price having invariably treated me in a most gentlemanly and kind manner; but Mr. Matthews has called for a reply, and I have given one.—-I am, <fcc., Elliott Gruner, Late Bailiff.