THE DESERTING APPRENTICE CASE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2024, 24 June 1885, Page 2

THE DESERTING APPRENTICE CASE.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—You and your readers are probably tired of this case, which has been forced into publicity by the editor of the Press, for causes best known to himself, Fortunately, I have no reason to fear this publicity, as 1 have not done anything in the matter of which I need feol ashamed. Nevertheless, as that is perhaps true which Whatcly used to say, "throw enough dirt, and some is sure to stick," it may be well for me to mako a short abstract on the point which lias most exercised the. minds of the Press editor, i.e., the " selling" of the boy. I have many valued friends in the Wairarapa, and should bo sorry that there should be even' a suspicion in their minds that my action had been mean or grasping. The boy lived 'with me exactly eight months. During .that,, time, he was, naturally, about wholly useless. How could a little boy just from a school bo otherwise 1 For his own good, and at his own desire, I transferred liiin for the rest of his term of apprenticeship (over three years), to Mr Bannister.,'' Could Mr Bannister in certain fairness not willingly refund to me part of the money I spent in bringing out the boy when 1 thought he would live with me four years 1 As for making anything out of the boy, I have been a heavy loser in the matter, and for this I am held iip to contempt by the editor of the Press. One word more. The Magistrate's decision is, doubtless, good law, as this particular boy is legally free from his ongagementwith me. What effect this will have upon the minds of people who thought of following my example, and accepting the charge of boys from such institutions ? Undoubtedly the decision will effectually prevent auy sucll transactions in future, as few people can afford to bring out young boys, keep them while they are almost helpless, and, when they begin to be careful, pay them full wages. Lady Burdett-Oouits might so indulgo her kind feelings, but few of u.3, can afford the luxury of sucli expensive charity. So, that far from doing service to these poor boys—these" slaves" as they have been absurdly called—the decision, doubtless good law, will shut up one means of escape open to lads' who seem destined to lead poor lives in an overcrowded country, This is no imaginary case. 1 was spoken to more than once by men in good positions on the subject of the bringing out of boys from this very school of which we have heard so much; but now, of course, the boys who might have gom.e have lost their chance, I am, &c., H. Vere WniTE. Kaiapoi, 22nd June, 1885.