THE DUNSTAN HOSPITAL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 317, 22 May 1868, Page 3

THE DUNSTAN HOSPITAL.

(To Tin; EDITOR OF THE DUS'.STAS TIMES.) Sir, —In your issue of Friday last, I road a report of tire monthly mooting of the Dunstan District Hospital. The Finance committee of that Institution had passed and recommended the payment of accounts and salaries to the amount of £ISS ISs 1 Oil The Treasurers report, showed a balainy iu hand to the credit of the Hospital ■ ' £122 ISs 4d., it also showed a considerable amount due by the Government on account of Government subsidy. The report I consider to bo very unsatisfactory, it is however not to be won lerodatunderthe present system of management adopted by the coin mittec. The Secretary has these eighteen months past been paid an annual salary and over since that system has been introduced, there has not been displayed upon the part of those upon whom the financial success of the Hospital depends, that energy and activity in the collection of funds which used to bo otherwise the ease. Bazaars and other devices for paying off old debts are never heard of now. I have little doubt that it is still fresh in the memories of the inhabitants of this district, how, that some few years ago when the Hospital was in difficulties; a now Commit too of management was elected, and with a debt of £I,OOO hanging over the Institution (a most difficult matter to contend against) A Secretary and Collector was appointed at a commission of 15 per cent, upon all moneys subscribed, this at that time wasconsid cred an excessive per-centage by many, but it nevertheless worked well, and 1 say, Sir, that through the indefatigable exertions of that Collector and Secretary, (and every credit is due to him for it) the whole of the liabilities of the Dunstan District Hospital were cleared off in this two years, at only a subsidy of £2 to £1 pai l by the Government upon subscriptions received. In those days the requirements of the Institution were continually before the public, and from all quarters of the district, the crying wants of suffering humanity were liberally responded to ; even upon the Dune in turf there was to be seen Subscription Lists for the Dunstan District Hospital. Now, the business of the Institution is consi lere 1 by a few to -be conducted upon an improved and more economical principle ; the Secietary and Collector receives an annual salary of £SO, and reasonable traveling expenses allowo 1. He however, insteal of bunting up subscriptions, remains quiet y at home, and leaves the work of raising j money to Local Committees, which I ad--1 mit worked well, while they were a novel-

ty, but tboir uses as far as money gettiu are now very questionable ; I have not seen in the newspapers lately, any acknowledgment of remittances from any of these local bodies, or from any casual subscribers whatever. It is a well known fact,' that the current expenditure of the Hospital is not upon that economical scale which it should be, and the expenditure appears to me and my friends as excessive. I woul I advise before the difficulties of the Hospital become greater, the appointment of a thoroughly efficient Secretary and Collector, or else at the two pounds to one Subsidy, which is in future to be paid by the Government, the most valued of our local Institutions will speedily be in straightened circumstances. I understand that on Saturday last, some representative of the Duustan District Hospital, who visite 1 this Town was, in con. junction with our worthy Mayor, Mr. Barry, to forma Local Committee, but nothing was done in the nutter, from causes quite unknown to me. I am, &c. , A SUBSCRIBER. Cromwell, 10th May, ISOS.