Cromwell Argus. AND NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS GAZETTE. Cromwell: Wednesday, June 2, 1875.

Cromwell Argus, Volume VI, Issue 290, 2 June 1875, Page 4

Cromwell Argus. AND NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS GAZETTE. Cromwell: Wednesday, June 2, 1875.

It is a pleasing duty for the journalist to turn from the perplexing turmoil of politics and party strife, and review the birth and progress to a successful end of local in stitutions having for their ohject the advancement in social and moral standing of the community among whom we live; or the alleviation of the wants of our fellows. As a gold fields town, Cromwell has reason to feel proud of the prominent position it holds with respect to both these ameliorating influences. We question whether, aven in the capital, 4hew eajists a nobler

edifice dedicated to the popular spread of literary knowledge than that possessed by Cromwell in its Athenaeum Hall. It may not be supplied with so extensive or costly a library ; but it is to be hoped the time is not distant when even in this regard it will compare with any contemporary institution of a like class. It speaks volumes for the district that it has within its bounds men who have the intelligence and energy to devise and carry out the establishment of an Institution which must work great good to its members, and as an educational institute is not to be despised. We hope soon to see the building carried out to completion, when no doubt the promoters will find that their praiseworthy efforts are appreciated as they should be. Of equal, if not surpassing, credit to the residents of this district is the establishment of a local hospital, which it will be seen by report elsewhere was last week banded over by the Building, or provisional, Committee to the Board of Manage ment appointed by the subscribers. We must congratulate residents upon the completion of an Institution which has been freely and in some instances munificently subscribed towards, and give praise to the custodians of the funds for their judicious and careful administration. The hospital commences its career in a very fair financial position, and we sincerely hope the spirit of benevolence and charity which gave the means for bringing it so far to a most successful and practical issue will not be withheld in maintaining it in full efficiency. It is satisfactory to know the Management have secured officers who have the full confidence of the public, and are well qualified for their respective posts. On the Board of Management will devolve the duty of careful stewardship, and the strict supervision of expending the funds, and from the known business habits of its members there is no cause to fear that duty will be overlooked. From what transpired at the meeting on Thursday, it would seem there is likely to arise an evil which we hope for the credit of the distinct will prove a very exceptional one—viz., misdirected benevolence in recommending undeserving patients. To properly achieve the end for which the Institution was designed, it becomes necessary to make the Regulations stringent, unci we are glad to know that in the case above alluded to the would-be inmates were treated as they deserved. It is only those who are unworthy the benefits who will find fault with the stringency of the Rules. Let the Board and officers act firmly and prudently at the outset, and they will save much trouble in the future. In closing, we cannot do better than reproduce the remarks of a contemporary on one of the greatest d-iffi culties the Committee will have to contend and guard against, and they should be kept in mind by those who have the privilege of recommending applicants for admittance :—" It seems almost incredible, but nevertheless the fact remains, that there are individuals who prefer the air of an hospital, even when in sound health, to a life wherein honest toil forms a portion of their every day existence. The hospital committee is incessantly worried with applications for admittance to that institution, by individuals who can rarely substantiate any just or reasonable claim to entitle them to the privilege. These characters submit the most insignificant reasons for the nature of the request made, and in not a few cases, persons apply for admittance who are actually under the influence of alcoholic stimulants, and otherwise than bv their own conduct are not unable to follow their usual avocations. There are legitimate cases enough in all conscience, and unfortunately a superabundance of them, wherein, either through accident or illness, the sufferer, who is perchance without means, is compelled to have recourse to the accommodation and attendance afforded by this institution, hut it was never intended, nor should it be allowed, to be converted into a retreat for the shiftless, the indolent or the inebriate. The committee should be protected in their efforts to check all attempts at impositions on the resources of a public charity, and all such worthless mendicants should be taught a salutary lesson, which should prevent a repetition of such practices in future. It is a degrading position for any man with a particle of spirit in his composition to assume, to accept charitable assistance from this source, which should only be obtainable by the sick or the impoverished, when he possesses the wherewithal to satisfy a gross animal appetite, at the-very time of application for admittance as a pauper."

Wo have been shown by the Town Clerk the plans an'l specifications of the proposed Cromwell Waterworks, just received. They are very elaborately orawn. evidencing much care, as might be expected from a firm" of engineers standing so high in their profession as Messrs Kan and Oliver.