THE Grey River Argus. TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 1870.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 657, 5 April 1870, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 1870.

From the report of a meeting which we recently published, it will be seen that a movement is on foot for the establishment of a Hospital at or near the new Ahaura township, in a central position, so as to meet thp requirements, pf the up-river diggings more effectually than at present. From the conspicuous position taken up Mr Warden Whitefoord on that occasion, he being Chairman of the meeting, we may take it for granted that the Nelson authorities are favorably inclined lowa,rds the proposal ; indeed, it may safely be said that it emanated from them. The movement is -one jn the right direction, for however much we may like to see the entire support of the Nelson Government given to the present Hospital in Greymouth, it cannot be denied that, so far as the up-river diggings are concerned, a Hospital at the Ahaura would be more centrally situated, and more likely to achieve the objects for which such institutions are established. As has often been the case, when an accident occurs in the Napoleon district, or up at the Little Grey, it is .a positive cruelty to bring the injured man to Greymouth. Generally speaking the sufferer is more injured by the travelling than by the origiual accident, and usually arrives at the Greymouth Hospital nearly dead. If any amount of suffering can be spared to those who are unfortunately injured in their claims or struck down by swamp fever while prospecting in the bush, the duty of the Government and the people is clearly to render it, ' and we think the Nelson Government is only doing its duty in promoting the establishment of a Hospital more centrally situated than the pr-esent one, so far as the up - river district is concerned. It may be argued that the Grey River Hospital will be injured if this movement is carried into effect, because its principal support has hitherto been drawn from the Nelson Government and the contributions of the miner 3on the Nelson side of the river, and this support would be withdrawn. No doubt a portion of it would be diverted to the new Hospital, but the patients would go there also, and the expenditure on the present institution would be proportionately lessened. We do not anticipate that the entire aupport of the Nelson Government would be withdrawn, because it is natural that all patients on the Nelson side, from the Ahaura dowtf, will be brought to Greymouth, and the subsidy would coutinue to be paid in proportion to the number of patients admitted from either side of the river. Should the worst happen, and the Nelson Government support be entirely withdrawn, the Grey River Hospital will have to become a purely Westland institution, and the present Westland Government subsidy doubled, in equal proportion to the amounts paid to the Hokitika and Totara Hospitals. In the cause of humanity we hope to see the movement successfully carried out, and trust that such a good work will not be spoilt by those local jealousies which have already exhibited themselves on the question as to the site of the Hospital. A strong spirit of jealousy exists between the Ahaura and Napoleon residents, so that we think it would be a wise course to leave the choosing of the site of the proposed Hospital to the Warden of the district, or to Mr Commissioner Kynnersley, during his forthcoming visit.