Dentistry for the Poor.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 312, 17 May 1907, Page 3

Dentistry for the Poor.

A NOVEL OFFER, * [N.Z, Ti-utti, April 26, 1907.] Au interesting letter was received yesterday by the Wellington and Wairarapi Charitable Aid Board from Adri n Moulton, a dentist of Evans rd., who formerly visited Kawhia. He observed that there were many people in our midst who could barely keep the wolf from the door, much less obtain relief from their dental troubles, and he therefore wished to make a publ ; c appeal on behalf ui the poor—the ayed poor and their poor children. Even the lowest current fees, he said, were beyond the purses of the poor. His sympathies were with these people, and he was willing to give his time energy, and talent for their benefit “if the means should be forthcoming,” Pjg only stipulation w.,b that such services should be absolutely free of all cost to the patients. He made this offer in the spirit of One who in the p&st eaid, “Silver and gold have 1 none, but such as I have give I thee,” He feared, however, that the sceptic, the dollar-maker, and the miser would puts wrung construction upon hip motives bnt added, “I must live, and I should only ask for sufficient to enable me to carry on this work, and to provide a sufficiency for my own household. Kwas originally my inten tion to address myself to the d<ntal profession, but feeling that tilie true spirit of professional is to do good to our fellowmen, irrespective of recompense, I am sure that 1 have the hearty support of the dentists, and that if an appeal were made for funds to establish sat h an institution aa’tl have attempted herein to outline they would be the fir>-t to come forward with financial assistance. 1 be chairman, Mr R. C. Kirk said there was no doubt a gieat deal in what Mr Moulton said as to the poor having to endure their dental troubles unrelieved, A dental su g. on was attached to the hospital, but this scarcely covered all the ground outl.ned in the letter. Mr Ct hen considered the proposal a very good one, and urged its acceptance. “It is free isn’t it?” he asked. 'I he chairman : No, It is to be free as far as the patients are c< ncerned, but for himself, he is to get sufficient to keep himbelt and family. Mr Cohen: Oh! We dont want any sweating business. The Chairman observed that the Board did not undertake the active distribution of aid, but th ;y might provide on the estim tes a sum to enable one of the proper authorities to carry out the scheme, Mr W. H. Morrah said the cost of the fake teeth would haye tj be provided for in addition to the dentist’s time. Hnuliyir. was decided to ask Mr Moulton to tall on the chairman, with a view of explain ng his idea mure fully.