The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1870.

Dunstan Times, Issue 425, 10 June 1870, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1870.

Beneaththeßuleof MenENTiREi.Y just the pen is mightier than thcswoßD

Committees of Hospitals have nothing now to expect from the Government beyond the usual subsidy of 21. to 17. upon subscriptions and donations. Understanding their actual position, to maintain the efficiency of their respective hospitals everything will depend upon the amount of exertion expended upon the collection of funds. We may leave success out of the question altogether, believing that every one, when asked, will give something towards the maintenance of a hospital. With respect to the Dunstau Hospital we are exceedingly sorry to find its financial position so unsatisfactory, and, unless by some fortuitous circumstances its funds ai’e augmented, the consequences are likely to become serious. To the late appointment of Mr. Milburn, the Secretary and Col lector, must be mainly attributed the present unsatisfactory state of affairs, and it should teach both committeemen and subscribers that, however qualified a man may be to discourse pleasant music, he is not necessarily qualified to discharge the dry details of business connected with the working and maintenance of a public institution like the Dunstan District Hospital. A gentleman possessing musical talents like those of Mr. Miiburne may certainly prove an addition to society ; but, judging sounds and the dull routine of business seldom preserve a happy intimate relationship. Therefore, for the future, wc hope the Hospital Committee, in selecting an officer, will consider his fitness for the office his especial recommendation. It is impossible to combine business with pleasure, and, to make a public institution a success, as much care and attention is required as is the case with ordinary every-day pursuits. Mr. Robert Barlow, the now Acting Secretary, has a great deal of his work to do over again. While holding the office of Secretary and Collector (previous to th e appoint-

, ment of Mr. Milburn) the affairs of the institution showed a steady improvement, and we have every confij dence in Mr. Barlow’s ability to rescue 3 the Hospital from its present difficul--1 ties. Economy in management must, as a - matter of course, engage the attention ' of the Committee. The expenditure m ust not exceed the income under any g circumstances, and we really do believe - that, in this matter, there is much room for improvement. The salaries paid are far too high, and, from the the top of the tree to the bottom, reduction can be advantageously made. If will of course be unadvisable to dispense with a Resident Surgeon; but, as private practice is permitted! j the office should be held at a small j rate of remuneration. In Victoria, j where this is the case, and we see no objection to it, the resident surgeon receive* a salary almost nominal in amount, and he holds office, not for its direct emoluments, but for the recommendation it gives and the large sphere of practice afforded, unobtainable in the ordinary course of private practice. In that case tile resident surgeonship is usually contracted for at so much per annum, and there is oftentimes a keen competition among ’ the medical men for the position. Referring to our Victorian files of newspapers we find that it is only a few weeks since the office was ac- ’ cepted to the Daylesford Hospital s at 501. per annum. There is an old and trite saying: “We must cut our ! coat according to our cloth.” This is applicable in all states and conditions , of society, while it also holds good in matters both public and private. Were the Committee to peruse the statistics of some of the Victorian hospitals we are sine they might obtain much valuable information from which some practical results would follow. The proposal mooted in the Provincial ; Council to amalgamate Dnnstan and Wakatip Hospitals is simply absurd. , The geographical position of the two ' districts is unfavorable to such a r course, while their populations ar-e scattered over such a large extent of country that death would end the sufferings of a large number of sick persons before they could become inmates of the amalgamated hospitals. A rigorous economy is the only panacea for existing troubles, and which, if | > . ! persevered in, will soon remove them and once more place the Dnnstan Disr trict Hospital upon a sound and satisfactory footing.