THE PROPOSED GREY VALLEY HOSPITAL.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 671, 7 May 1870, Page 4

THE PROPOSED GREY VALLEY HOSPITAL.

[to the editor.] There is considerable agitation going on at present in certain parts, in'orderthata hospital may be erected at the Ahaura or thereabouts, so that sufferers may be tended there, instead of being subjected to a three hours voyage down the Grey River in a cargo boat. Ido not think that journey is at all to be compared with carrying on a stretcher by relays of men, through miles of difficult country, it may be from Noble's, Napoleon Hill, l)uffers's, Moonlight, or L.ttle Grey (and they would surely not carry np to the Ahaura from Nelson Creek, Red Jack's or No Town). If one survived the carrying portion of the journey, the boating part would not make them much worse ; but not being skilled in these matters I just venture an opinion. This movement is also stated to be very popular with the diggers, and to be much required ; but I beg to state that such is not the case with any digger I have spoken to about it. Some went even so far as to say that it should not be countenanced, as it would only be a half starved affair, and deprive the Greymouth Hospital of its rightful supplies.- A properly qualified medical gentleman and staff of attendants will not bo got for a trifle, to say nothing of a suitable building and necessary supplies, where everything is much dearer than it is to be got miles further up the country as everyone knows. Well, does any oue know where the funds are likely to come from ? It seems the Greymouth Hospital Committee have enough to do to make ends meet, at least there does not seem to be more cash on hand than they know what to do with. Perhaps I am judging too fast, as there may be philanthropists about in these days, but its not likely. If a hospital must be built, why not go close up to one of the mining centres, or "perfect nests of diggiugs" that our new publication at the Ahaura talks about ? It is true there are often days and days without a cargo boat being at the Ahaura ; might there not always be a small boat stationed there for the express purpose of taking down any sick person to Greymouth, and let it be in the care of the officer at the Camp. If the pent up beneficence of the Ahaura people is likely to injure them, they could do this by way of a safety-valve, but perhaps this would not suit the purpose originally intended, although it is most likely to be of real service to the diggers, who, I may safely say, are all in favor of supporting the Greymouth Hospital, and keeping it in an efficient state, which is better than having two rival instutions. It would be like commencing to make the Cobden and Nelson Railway before they could make that shore piece up to the Coal Pits. I wish some one more capable of treating this subject had taken it in hand. One says " its no use trying" ; another says " what's the good of me bothering about it, I am going to clear out as soon as this claim is finished," and so on. It is a good thing to have the opinions of different parties from different stand points, or "two heads are better than one," &c, — I am, &., A Miner. Brandy Jack's, May 3, 1870.