The Dunstan Times CLYDE, FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1881. THE CROMWELL HOSPITAL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 993, 29 April 1881, Page 2

The Dunstan Times

CLYDE, FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1881. THE CROMWELL HOSPITAL.

Beneath the rule of men entirely just The pen is mightier than the sword.

Mr. S. N. Brown, through the columns of the “ Cromwell Argus”as editor, and Mr Brown in Ins private capacity, is ever crying “ wolf.” The last occasion this occurred was at the “annual” meeting of the subscribers to the Cromwell Hospital, held on the 14th We question the correctness of the phrase “ annual ” meeting, for the reason that the ordinance under which all goldfields’ hospitals are governed expressly stipulates that the annual meeting of subscribers shall be held in the month of January in each year ; but to the point. Mr Brown is reported as “ speaking in terms of praise regarding the economical management of the institution, which he said was an example that might be followed with advantage by other goldfields’ hospitals.” So well, and so good ; but where does Mr Brown gain his information as to the economical management 1 ! In the report there is nothing save the receipts and expenditure for the last quarter ending 31st March, 1881. Now, on comparing this statement with a similar one published by the Hunstan District Hospital, we find the benefit to been theside ofthelatter hospital; that is, the expenditure of the Cromwell Hospital was L 207 12s sd, and that of the Dunstan Hospital L 133 19s 3d, or a difference in favor of the latter extravagantly-conducted institution as Mr Brown would make us believe—of L 73 13s 2d ; and, if we take the number of patients treated, it is still more in favor of the Dunstan Hospital. In the Cromwell Hospital 3S patients were treated during the year, whilst in the Dunstan 50 patients were treated. We think, in this instance, we have very plainly proved the shallowness of Mr Brown’s cry, and had we but the command of the books of Vincent County—or rather were they so easily summed up ns are those of the hospitals—we should be able to prove that the continual and everlasting cry of extravagance aimed at that institution by Mr Brown in the “ Argus ” is just as shallow and devoid of truth as the insinuations levelled at the goldfields’hospitals. It will lie well in future for Mr Brown to look before he ventures to leap ; still better if he were to expose some of the sayings and doings and .some of the trifling little extravagances of the ancient Borough of Cromwell.

THE SUPPRESSED TELEGRAMS.

After tho Clyde and Alexandra meetings of the Central Otago Land League, we telegraphed tho results to* the editor of tho “ Daily Times " ; bn* the editor of that paper thought tit to mutilate the first telegram, and to altogether omit the other. Whereupon Mr Pyke wrote to the “ Morning Herald,” denouncing and exposing the conduct of the “ Daily Times’ ” editor. The day after tho appearance of this letter the “ Times ” had a paragraph, in which tho editor admitted the truthfulness of Mr Pyke’s statements, but said that he did not do it; it was the sub-editor. This is about the meanest thing ever done by anyone in charge of a newspaper, and reflects infinite discredit on its author. An editor is responsible for everything that appears in his paper, and to attempt to shuffie out of the responsibility as the editor of the “ Times ” has done is most reprehensible. We notice, with pain, that the editor of the “ Cromwell Argus ” feebly chuckles over this matter, thereby shewing what we have all along maintained—that he is utterly ignorant of the duties and responsibilities of an editor, and incapable of even comprehending the ordinary courtesies of journalistic conduct. But a fellow feeling makes men very kind. Mr Pyke has replied in a letter to the “ Morning Herald,” which we reproduce : TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—The editor of the “Daily Times” admits the correctness of my allegations respecting the alteration and suppression of telegrams, and shelters himself behind his sub-editor—a proceeding which, I venture to say, has no parallel or precedent in tho annals of journalism. And then, ye gods, he raves about his “reputation”! Comment is unnecessary.— I am, etc., Vincent Pyke.