CROMWELL HOSPITAL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 677, 9 April 1875, Page 3

CROMWELL HOSPITAL.

—o—-'To-day the subscribers of the CromVvell Hospital will bo called upon to express an 'opinion respecting the selection of a surgeon, when it will devolve Upon the Committee, ■under the powers contained in the recently passed Ordinance, to give effect thereto, and make the appointment. It should bo borne in mind that a Committee, consisting of eighteen, was, at a public meeting, elected, and it is only reasonable to conclude that the subscribers who elevated them to that responsible position had unlimited confidence, not only in their integrity, but also in their fitness to discharge their onerous duties. It is recognised as a ■general and common rule that, when a Committee is elected they have to perform the work, and when finished, report to the subscribers. If the Committee are deemed worthy of the trust, if they are fitted to ■control the affairs and superintend the working of the Institution, why should they not be accounted fit ka choose a surgeon without becoming, so to speak, the mere'nominees, or “ go-betweens ” of the subscribers ? A brief outline of the chcumstanccs under which this extraordinary ■course was pursued may not be without advantage. At a public meeting, held in the ■mouth of February, an isolated but garrulous few, who were ever referring to the Dunstan Hospital election of surgeon, which took p’ace at not a very distant date, doubtless thought to earn lasting renown by suddenly growing very careful of the interests of the subscribers, and it was in consequence resolved that they should Select the surgeon, and the Committee, like puppets, Were to be permitted to exer'cise the power the Ordinance vests in them alone, viz., the “appointment,” from which it may be inferred, that the intention of the Provincial Council, and also of tiro member for Queenstown, in introducing the Ordinance, was solely for the purpose rif placing the power of election in the hands of the Committee, independent of the subscribers. Assuming.that the voice of the latter should elect a particular surgeon, and the Committee disapproved thereof, what would be the result? It is hardly to be expected that every individual who records -his vote will be in poseession of facts which may be known to members of the Committee, and which they may bo justified in retaining to themselves, although feeling at liberty to Utter the same at a meeting of the Committee. The course for them to pursue is clear, and that is to elect a surgeon themselves, as to accept any gentleman who might be against their wish and judgment chosen by the subscribers, would not only be undignified and humiliating in the extreme, but gracefully adding to the Ordinance itself. It they are incompetent to make choice of a surgeon, they s, e equally as unfit and unworthy to govern the local hospital. The played-out plea, that by taking such a step they would protect themselves against the censure of the subscribers is frivolous, as the miners, and others, living at considerable distance from the town, can hardly be expected to suspend their operations and walk twenty or thirty miles to inspect musty diplomas and worn-out testimonials. If this cotqi d' Hat was intended as a test, it became imperatively necessary that polling places should be held at the large mining centres, such as Garrick, Cardrona, Roaring Meg, and Bendigo ; but arbitrarily to fix upon Cromwell as the only polling place, is nothing short of playing battle-dore and shuttle-cock, and giving the deluded voters the shell, and keeping the nut themselves. It is an attempt, under false colors, to carry a point; an attempt to take credit of noble-minded-disinterostednoss when personal considerations are at the bottom ; an attempt to appear unconcerned when most anxious ; the raising of a cloud of dust to be used as advantage serves and circumstances suit. Truly a pitiably spectacle, indicating the entire absence of self-reliance, and furnishing the damning evidence of indecision. It is an old saying, “ That between two stools one is sure to fall,” and so it will bo with this new move. Viewed from the most favorable point the case just resolves itself nto this : the Committee relegate their powers to the subscribers, and say, “We knew you have elected us to watch over your interests, and we have no confidence in ourselves, and must first obtain your permission before we move. We are only imbeciles, and want you to lead us.” We do not for cue moment think that the subscribers will bejboodwinked into stultifying themselves, and, thinking so, we should not be surprised at finding a paucity of voters. If the plebiscitum, or whatever else it may be termed, Was intended to be chronicled, and regarded as the decision of the subscribers, a longer notice should have been given. The Cromwell Argus was only issued on Tuesday last, and the polling is to take place three days after. Generous, truly, and studying the interest of the subscribers, and affording an opportunity to the residents of the Nevis ! Are they less deserving of consideration than the more highly-favored of their brethren who reside in the immediate vicinity of the beautiful Cromwell; are those miners and others who reside there less worthy of voting, or possessed of less capital. These, and similar questions will force themselves upon the minds of many subscribers, while the existng Committee, waging war amongst themselves, will never further the cause of charity, nor minister to the wants of the sick and afflicted, nor make the Hospital a success. Of the eight gentlemen elected to represent the out-lying districts only two have attended—Mr Taito and Mr Towona, both of the Gorge, distant some three miles—and that only at one meeting. If men accept the responsibility of being on a Committee they should bo prepared to discharge the voluntary and self-imposed duty, and not, by their continued absence, throw the work upon the minority, who then rule the majority. The subscribers may well feel disposed to ask “ Where sits the dame—disguised in look profound ; And eyes her fairy throng, and turns her wheel around ?”

Another matter calling for remark was the spares attendance of the Committee, as out 'of the eighteen elected only six were present (it is due to Messrs Starkey and Scally to add that a family affliction excuses them). The meeting assembled at 10 p.m,, and broke up at X%M. Since the election of the Committee it has invariably been 9 o’clock, and more frequently later before the business of the evening has been entered upon, and I have not known a single instance in which it has been closed before 12 o’clock. If the vending of a few commodities is all-ipiportant, it would conduce more to the interests of the Committee, as a whole, if those members who are so bent on the ‘ ‘ almighty dollar ” would giro place to others, ns a ride over the Flat, or to Garrick, Nevis, or Bendigo, at midnight is not very pleasant. The late hour of breaking up the meetings has been assigned to me by more than one of the Committee as an excuse for then- non-attendance. I would also point out that the Hospital is now ready for the admission of patients, and that the Wardsman and Matron have been appointed, and complete as the building itself is I still think that a mortuary, or dead-house should have been erected, and that it is an imperative duty to have one built forthwith. When the Hospital is thrown open for inspection I may chance to pay it a visit, when I shall be better able to give a general description thereof.