The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1870.

Dunstan Times, Issue 417, 15 April 1870, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1870.

Beneath the Rule of MenENTinELY just the pen is mightier than theswoiiD

The report of the last meeting of the Hospital Committee shows the affairs of that institution not to he in a ■flourishing condition. This fact appears to he thoroughly apparent to members of Committee, as we find them recommending a return to the 3 1, to \l. subsidy on subscriptions collected. The Committee also desire the assistance of the Queenstown and Tuapekallospital Committees to secure this object. We are sure nothing can be more painful to ourselves, or to the mining community in general, than to find the Hospital in straightened circumstances. Of all local institutions which demand support the hospital should be foremost. No occupation is beset with so many dangers as that of gold-mining, and it may, with much truth, be said, that, in the pursuit of his daily avocations, the miner carries his life in his hands. The other goldfields hospitals appear to he much in the same position with regard to their finances as the Duustan, and their Committees are recommending increased exertions in the collection of funds. That the Government should be importuned by members to return to the 3 1, to \l subsidy undoubtedly points out the easiest solution of the difficulty ; but we think there is very little chance of escape this way. To ask for an increased subsidy will be to ask in vain 21. for every \l. subscribed, is a really hand some subsidy, and that it should be sufficient we not only have the experiences of the Victorian goldfields for a guide, but the working of our

own institution in its early clays show the same result. It is no argument that the population has decreased. The power to give is very much greater than ever it was. The district was never before so’Tprdsperous nor the means of its inhabitants so ample, and we are 'thoroughly convinced that an appeal to the public, coupled with an energetic canvas of the district, is all that is required to’place the affairs of the Hospital upon a satisfactory looting. With the mode of collecting ■funds during the last three years wo have thoroughly satisfied. The payment of a salary to the Secretary as there is no incentive to exertion. A commission on receipts would be far preferable. It may appear extravagant to pay fifteen, per cent. ; but, taking everything into account' we very much queslion if any saving has been effected. The real sav.ng has been’on the part of the public, who have kept money in their dockets which would otherwise have gone into the coffers of the Hospital. The dudes of collecting funds for the H‘ spital are of far more importance than most people imagine. To get money t out of . people for something they cannot eat or drink requires a large amount of tact and ingenuity, and in paying for this by a commission,‘even if we do pay highly, it is satisfactory to know that, if the Collector’s salarv is large, the income of the institution is exactly in proportion, and wo only pay for what we get. The records of the Hospital will show that when this system was pursued, even when the subsidy was only 21. to I.'. upon subscriptions, its financial position was an improving one, and many liabilities were discharged. The financial position'd a public institution wants as nmeb attention as that of a mercantile business, requires the same careful watching, and should be presided over by one individual, who, in, a measure, should be held personally responsible. A Committee of Management is, of course, highly necessary, and so also are sub-com-mittees in the out-lying districts ; but the collection of funds is b-st left to some single individual, whom committees might assist in making collections. What is everybody’s business is nobody’s business, and, where everybody is a collector, tlio work cannot, be properly performed, as nobody is to blame or can be held responsible. Another matter to be taken into consideration with regard to hospital management, and worthy the attention of commit'ees, is a reduction in the expenditure fur medical attendance. In many mining districts in Victoria the hospital surgeons are paid a round sum per annum for profesioual attendance and medicines. Tim surgeon is non-resident, the internal nuiiiagen.ent being entirely vested in the matron, and we are sure that females of sufficient experience could be found to undertake similar duties in Otago. The cost for medical and surgical attendance of our goldfields hospitals is out of all proportion to the number uf'-inmates, and, considering that we have now become a settled comm unity, and the demand upon the resources of the Hospital may from year to year may be pr’etty correctly calculated, a very considerable saving might be effected by adopting the Victorian system of contracting for medical attendance and medicines. If the public continue to support the Hospital in its present high state of efficiency well and g.>od ; but, if they will onlypay for an inferior article, there is no alternative but to let them have one. However, taking whatever view we may of the subject, between the Collector and House Surgeon there is much room for icform, and the same will hold good in other places besides the Dunstan, more especially where the hospital is close to a town.