Cromwell Argus, AND NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS GAZETTE. CROMWELL: WEDNESDAY, Oct. 27, 1875.

Cromwell Argus, Volume VI, Issue 311, 27 October 1875, Page 4

Cromwell Argus, AND NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS GAZETTE. CROMWELL: WEDNESDAY, Oct. 27, 1875.

At the last monthly meeting of the Wakatipu Hospital Committee, the Secretary stated that the bank overdraft amounted to L.390, and further accounts duo would add L.IOO to that sum. The Mail reports that a warm discussion took place as to how this state of financial depression had come about. It was shown that there existed numerous instances where patients had been admitted to the institution, subscribers and non-subscribers, who had _ neglected to pay anything since their admittance. Some of these were known to be in a position to pay for the privileges extended to them, but had failed to do so. So much had the Hospital suffered from this state of things, that it was resolved to publish in the local paper for twelve months the following notice “ That except in cases of clear emergency,—to be certified to by Dr Douglas, with a statement to the Committee of the nature of the case, —no patient be admitted to the Wakatip Hospital except such patient has been a subscriber of one guinea for a period of two months previous to seeking admission ; or in default of being a subscriber as aforesaid, shall pay the maximum sum of L.2 10s per week on admission, and afterwards a similar sum weekly in advance ; and that the attention of the doctor and wardsman of the Hospital be called to this resolution, which the Committee wish to be carried out to the letter.” Seeing that the Clyde hospital had recently to be lifted out of a similar position,—brought about through precisely the same cause, —by the Government placing to the Committee’s credit a special grant of L.150, it will bo wise for our local body to profit by the lesson, and rigidly to enforce payment by those who are in a position to make good the expenditure incurred on their behalf. A perusal of the list of patients from this district who found succour in the Dunstan Hospital last year shows that a large proportion of them were in good positions, and some possessed considerable means, yet the burden of their maintenance was charged against the district, and the Government was obliged to recognise that the Clyde institution had claims of a special nature. One of two things in this instance is apparent : either the patients acted in a despicably mean manner, or the Committee were most negligent in trying to collect the dues from the patients. In every community there are those who will take advantage of any benefit institution' at the sacrifice of all manly principle so long as they save their pocket; and it is characters such as these who bring our hospitals to tho verge of bankruptcy, and, besides, generally have the worst word against the institution when it is in financial difficulties. And, worst of all, the unfortunate poor are made to suffer by reason of the conduct of such as we have just referred to, as committees in self defence are forced to make all-round regulations in order to hedge themselves against fraud. With two such forcible examples before them as the Wakatipu and Clyde Hospitals present,no doubt the Management of our newlyestablished local institution will guard against being driven to the same extremities by allowing well-to-do patients to assume for the time being the garb of destitution. Deserving cases should be treated with due consideration, but with the class to whom we have more especially referred the Regulations should be adhered strictly. All honest, honorable men will then feel that in supporting the Institution they are upholding a haven of refuge to the indigent sufferer, while at tho same time they may themselves enter without a feeling that they are existing upon the charity of others. At the present time, unfortunately, tho Cromwell Hospital is taxed to its full accommodation, and unless a wise discrimination is exercised it will take the Management all their time to make both ends meet, even with a fair proportion of paying patients. The expenditure in connection with the Institution must necessarily bo large, but by judicious and economical supervision the Committee will no doubt be enabled to avoid financial embarrassment. We are pleased to see that residents throughout the district respond liberally according to their means in aid of tho Institution, thus evincing their desire to have it maintained in a manner conducive to the welfare of those who have the misfortune to seek its shelter, and also with credit to those who in health contribute to its support. Nothing is so blighting as poverty, either in the individual or corporation ; and in the case of a hospital it is sufficient to expect the Board of Management, who act without fee or reward, that they carefully administer the affairs of the infirmary, without also requiring them to tax their brains how to keep clear of the shoals of bankruptcy. Of course much, very much, depends upon their ability to properly control the Institution to the satisfaction of those who provide the means for its existence ; and so long as they do this, so long will the public cheerfully tax themselves to maintain so necessary an adjunct to a large and settled population —especially on the Goldfields, where, it may be said with more than ordinary force, that no man “knows what a dav may bring forth.”