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I Protest

Speaking as a resident or the institution which you describe as an interesting social phenomenon in last week's issue, I would like to take a firm stand and, cudgel in hand defend the honour of this fine establishment; It is time, that such cross libels as that in last week's issue were stopped. Enough damage has already been done by the irresponsible elements of Wellingtons back journalistic society.

Weir House as shown in the photograph last week does not stand darkly menacing against the sombre sky. The sky isn't sombre: it is blue with white cumulus clouds reliably estimated by a meteorological expert of my acquaintance as not more than three-tenths. Anyhow, the house was probably suffering from a generalised morning-after depression at the time that the photo was taken and I therefore submit that it does not give a fair representation of the position. Moreover, you accuse the inmates of being half-beasts. However true this assertion may be, none of us desire to see half a RSPCA inspector coming up the bill to inspect the living conditions as a direct result of your interfering hack journalistic efforts. Besides., this inspection might have serious effects on the management-committee as some of them might be prosecuted for maltreatment.

Now we don't want that, do we? It might lead to even more serious results such as a disastrous rise in board.

I therefore remain (for the sake of the child allowance)—

[Of course, there are different opinions on Weir House, and its inhabitants. We would be only too pleased to hear from other with different views

—Ed.]