THE Kawhia Settler. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1905. THE KAWHIA MEDICAL CLUB.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 225, 8 September 1905, Page 2

THE Kawhia Settler. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1905. THE KAWHIA MEDICAL CLUB.

With much concern we read the last report of the secretary on the present condition of the Kawhia Medical Club. Shortly it is to the effect that the club that started with a membership of nearly 100 subscribers now consists of only a dozen paying members, and is practically defunct; that the doctor, finding be is not being supported as he was led to think he would be if he took up his residence here, intends at the end of the year to accept a position he is offered elsewhere, unless the club is at once re organised and he receives a guarantee from the settlers of at least £lOO a year, in addition, of course, toThe fees he may get through his practice. The doctor reports that during the last two years the fees he rocsi.ku, apart from any guarantee, have not been sufficient to support him in such a degree of decency and comfort he might have reasonably looked for, that he has given Kawhia a fair trial, that hs has expended nearly £2OO from his private means on a surgery and stocked it with necessary surgical instruments and medicines, that although be would like to continue to live here, be must consult his own interests and take up the more lucrative practice offered him—unless the settlors make it more worth his while to remain. It goes without saying that for our only medical l man to leave will be a distinct setback to Kawhia, ard when the reason for his leaving becomes publicly known it will ba a long lime before we get another to adventure, To sUlhrs with families this is a particularly serious matter. Shortly before Dr Jenkins arrived we knew of eevocases where men sent their Wiv s and children to Auckland for treatment st a cost* of £5O to £lOO, eases that might have been treated here for quite a nmdl sum; when a doctor from Raglan or Waikxtohad to be sent for be had to be guaranteed a sum of £|o, and then was ,nut always able to as quick'y as wag necessary. But the financial aspect of the

question is the smallest consideration. There aae hundreds of women and children scattered through our district who would be cut off fr v m any ready trained medical aid—it simply is not right for beads of families to ask those entrusted to their care to accept the shocking risk that hourly hangs over all where no efficient surgical or medical aid is obtainable, and in this case for what ?—a paltry subscription of a guinea a year. That the risk is remote and may never overtake the individual should not influence anyone ; so is the risk of fire, but what is said of the non-insurer when he is burnt out? He is condemned as a fool for not taking ordinary precaution. The sub scription to the Medical Club, through which a doctor is retained here, is another form of insurance. The single man may, when no one but himself is affected, take the risk, and if be suffers will simply be accounted to hays been foolish, but for the family man so accept the risk when it can be so easily avoided is to commit an act of well nigh criminal foolishness. We want co state the case plainly and strongly. The matter is, in our opinion, of so much importance, not me.ely as it may affect individuals, bit it beer) so strongly on the welfare of the district that we feel that the settlers must be uninformed or have not given] ibis subject their serious consideration. We do hope the efforts that are now being made to re-establish the club will meet with a full measure of support.

Since the above was written we have received several letters and suggestions which are practically embodied in our remarks. The outcome is an advertisement asking those interested to attend a meeting to be held |ou Monday next at the close of the County Council meeting ; those unable to be present are invited to call at the office and make suggestions.