QUEENSTOWN,

Dunstan Times, Issue 726, 17 March 1876, Page 3

QUEENSTOWN,

ItfROM OUR CORRESPONDENT,) There was a great split in our Hospital Committee on Saturday last. The adjourned meeting to consider the appointing of a medical officer to undertake the charge of the Institution during Dr Douglas's twelve months’ leave of absence, produced a perfect storm of dissatisfaction, and will result in the resignation of four valuable members of the Committee. It appears that at the meeting hold on the previous Saturday, a resolution was come to appointing two members of the Committee to wait on Dr Scott to ask if he would undertake the charge of the Hospital for the term alluded to, and Dr Scott agreed. The matter was considered as settled, when, to the amazement of the Committee, on Saturday last as they sat in solemn conclave, MrG. M. Ross, who had never put in an appearance since the first general meeting in January last proposed that aDr Jackson, of Balelutha, was a fit and proper person, and tUe clique of Camp and Bank officials caused him to be elected by a majority of two votes to one. Had any person possessed a previous knowledge of Dr Jackson, or even of Ids qualifications, or had there been any competition for the office, nothing might have been said against the proceeding, but, when it is considered that Dr Scott had been requested to undertake the duty, while also he had charge of the Hospital for four months when Dr Douglas was away in Melbourne, and also, upon other occasions of that gentleman’s absence, while he has acted as Honorary Surgeon for years past, the whole affair partakes too much of the nature of a job for the population of the Wakatip to readily swallow. The interests of the pub. lie and the Hospital were in another instance completely subverted by the same clique, as they managed to carry another resolution that Dr Douglas should receive half-pay ■daring his twelve months leave. This would amount to LI 25, and which, considering the pecuniary difficulties of the Institution, it cannot atfi-rd to pay. Were everything prosperous, no objections could be taken, Dr Douglas having been a very valuable servant, but we must “ bn just before wo are generous,” and show some compassion for suffering subscribers, besides, I think that I may sum up this wise that, Dr Douglas has enjoyed an extensive and lucrative private practice throughout the whole terra of his office, (sometwelve years) and can well afford to preserve an existence and enjoy his holiday at the same time upon the well known principle of “no Work no pay.” Some suitable testimonial in the shape of a piece of plate, should be sufiicient to mark the appreciation of the district of Dr Douglas’ abiPties and worth. 1 hear that we are to have first-rate sport at the coining Regatta on St Patrick’s Day, while there is to bo a Concert and Dramatic performance at the Town Hall in the evening. A Regatta on Lake Wakatip is really a very agreeable pastime, while a short sail on -one of the steamers can always he obtained at a very small charge. To my mind a day’s boating beats horse-racing hollow, and with the 'rising generation especially it tends to create a passion for lively adventure and enterprise. The Annual Race Meeting is however not to become a myth, and great exertions are being made to bring it off on, Easter Monday, the 17 th April ; so far as I can see there, is every hope of the affair becoming a success.