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Hokitika Guardian, 15 May 1924, Page 2

At the County meeting on Tuesday some of tho members were at some pains to defend the management of the hospitals by assuring the meeting that in the administration of the institution the greatest concern was shown in regard to economical management. AVltilo it must l>o admitted now. as it lias been on several occasions previously, that the members do according to their lights, devote much time and attention to their self-imposed task, the fact remains that costs aro mounting up nml that expenses generally arc higher. There is a race between neighboring towns to possess the best- possible in the way of has-

pitnl accommodation. This is praisewortny so long as the cost is not beyond reason. But wo know that here, for instance, a very fine permanent institution has been established, and to maintain it adequately in keeping with the inarch of science the cost for upkeep is going to mount up, and if there was no voice raised to check the casts the increase would continue to mount up. As was remarked in this column earlier in the week what has happened in Westland has happened also in Canterbury on a much larger scale, and there, as here, the contributing local bodies are protesting. In the race for so-called up-to-date institutions very considerable expenditure lias to he faced. Those immediately responsible plume themselves on the fact that they have achieved a very great deal. In Westland such is the ease—a great deal lias been accomplished and fill institution is established now which will compare most favourably with any similar institution of its size ill New Zealand. Judging by the remarks at tile County meeting the members with the exception of Mr Murdoch arc satislied with '.lie result. But so far as the County Council is concerned the posit ion has been rendered possible only by paying over •!/>% of the general rate. Win'll the*same councillors are considerin'' manors reining to roads and bridges they are ] crimp-. unmindful of ilie fact that- one reason why funds arc curtailed for road works is because so much of the local revenue is earmarked at the outset for hospital nniinteiiame. If the Hospital Boards were responsible for the collection of their income directly from the people instead of levying oil compliant local bodies there would be a sufficient brake mi expenditure to prevent undue or lavish outlay and local bodies tonstituted primarily to attend to roads and bridges, could perform their homely duties with greater freedom and move direct approbation from the ratepayers.

'Pm; contributor of the weekly Bo,\ Scout notes lias a grievance against a section nf the community in that those who might help the mmomect in a practical way have failed to do so. Scout leaders are needed to assist in forward the movement locally, and the appeal should not b- in vain. The Boy Scouts movement effectively carried out must be of ultimate good to those associated with the world, bill ii is apparent evci v assistance should be given to assist those who are willing in take a p actual part in lulling to mould the characters, and aspirations of the rising "ciieraiion along lines which will hate a national purpose in view. Seeing that the opportunity offers it would be a thousand ) ities were it neglected, and the boys left to grow up wild as it were. The ‘‘Be Prepared" motto of the Bov Scout movement libs the scheme, for the training of the boys is to fit l belli for the larger sphere of life they are to outer upon when they go out into the world—to be prepared for the vagaries and surprises of life, and cultivate the spirit to overtake the ordinary difficulties which present themselves at every turn. The alternative is to allow the boys to drift; to spend aimless evenings about street coviivov elsewhere: with a mind untrained and unfitted for the trial to come. Viewed in this way it is apparent the Bo v Seoul movement presents an opportunity which should lie encouraged, fa the old days when the volunteer spirit supplied all that was necessary as a nucleus for a defence force, there was an atmosphere in which the liny Scout movement would have flourished. But it is a remarkable fact that wig'll service for defence purposes came to be crnimilsory, file old spirit e\ ap,,ralcd and ill its place there has .•OXOIII up a feeling of antagonism which can he felt at times. Yet the Boy Scent movement- is something akin to tlie vuliiutarv service of the old days ,il fourteen years ago, "hen splendid bodies of men and youths assembled weekly in every town in the Dominion to do their duty as true citizens cheerfully. If something of the old spirit were to revive, there would not |.„ uiiicli difficulty in semiring plenty of leaders for the boys in their scouting work. Or. if in connect ion with the education scheme, it were pait and parcel of the duty of the male teachers to take a practical part in the outdoor life of the lads, there would b ( < at band another ready means to assist in forming character along lines to ensure the best citizenship. The best service, however, is the voluntary service, and seeing that the boys themselves are eager to participate, it would lie great pity indeed if the present opportunity were not taken the fullest advantage of.