THE HOSPITAL APPEAL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1248, 6 October 1911, Page 6

THE HOSPITAL APPEAL.

Sir,—As lam unable to take part in tho effort that is now made for helping the hospital to render a still moro effective service to the community, I should deem it a great favour if you will allow mo, through your paper, to address a few wxirds to my fellow-citizens whose interests I strive to represent on tho Hospial Board. From reports I have received of tho progress of the movement, I am gratified to find that the response of the public to the appeal of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Beard is likely to be as generous as is the urgency of the need. The people c-f Wellington are not behind tho people of any of the chief cities of the Dominion in matters affecting the health and comfort of the less privileged sections of the community, whatever interests may divide us into sections; we are one in our desire that the health and virility.of all sections of the people should bo 'maintained at their highest point of efficiency. Here tho unity- and solidarity of tho city find their most sensitive centre of expression; -what injuriously affects tho health of one section, however' insignificant that section may seem to be, affects tho whole city, so that the safety of the whole is identical with the safety of that portion which is least able to protect itself against the attack of disease. Tho equipment and up-to-dateness of the public hospital is, therefore, of primary importance to tho welfare and happiness of tho wholo community, and as such the people of Wellington havo hero an asset of incalculable value. In the past it is gratifying to find that this aspect of the hospital has beeu generously acknowledged. Towards the hospital the sympathies of tho pooplo have been 'directed in over deepening forms; for its benefit sacrifices not a few havo bean made; with tho result that its effectiveness as an institution for the healing and eradication of disease lias increased enormously. Tho present appeal is for funds whereby tho hospital may bo made still moro "effective in its service to the community.

The appeal is made with the conviction that every section of the community is sympathetically inclined towards the hospital, and that should the appeal assume a form suchas will afford on opportunity to all the citizens to manifest their sympathy, the opportunity will be seized by all; so that in the last resort the question assumes the form of how best to organiso the present movement. Tho answer is simple. Mrs. Wilford, who, with his Worship the Mayor, rendered snch signal service to the hospital only a short time ago, has generously come forward again to lead in the organisation of the Hospital Saturday collections- In this action of our Mayoress tho spirit and disposition of the best in tho city are reflected. It is only necessary to give this spirit a \vider means of expressing itself. I believe that- every householder in the city would heartily welcome tho opportunity of contributing to the fund, according to his means. Why should not the opportunity bo given? What is needed is tho extension of tlie method inaugurated by our Mayoress, by appointing another committee to lake charge of a house-to-house canvass. This may soem a big undertaking, but really it is very simple, provided a sufficient number of collectors aro forthcoming. All that is .needed is the dividing of the city into' comparatively small blocks, and-appoint a number of collectors for .racli block. I cannot conceivo of a work more congenial to the collector and the householder alike than such mutual sen-ice affords, a service that Iras upon it the stamp of the highest and most lasting benediction. Then, in addition to tho two methods already mentioned, thero is a possible third. We have societies and clubs in our midst, whose function is to organise tho social life of the community along lines that yield pleasure and profit to their members. Such organisations have been of material service to public institutions in tho past, and t venture to think that in rendering such service they have increased and intensified the pleasure of their members to a higher extent than they would otherwise have done. For tho deepest pleasures of lifo aro those pleasures that eame as accompaniment to tho service of humanity in its direct need. May I thus from.my sick room appeal to my fellow-citizens to rally round tho movement for the sake of tho widows and orphans, the poor and sick of oui city, so that they may havo tho best service that the most skilful and humane medical and nursing profession can give them, and that, under tho best and most favourable conditions. —I am, etc. (Sgd.) W. A. EVANS, Chairman, Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. October I, 19U.