BENEVOLENT INSTITUTE VERSUS THE HOSPITAL WARD.

Kumara Times, Issue 415, 24 January 1878, Page 2

BENEVOLENT INSTITUTE VERSUS THE HOSPITAL WARD.

[to THjE EMTOH.J'. , , : Sir—Tn a recent issue of youra,' I noticed that an Sr tide almost censured, the residents should they riot support the proposed Benevolent Institute.-. •/ I would like to know if, iby supportin'® the samjfcwe are to be exempt from, the numerous applications for relief whe* ther fictitious or real, which are of

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every day occurrence, and have become such a burden on the community that they may be pronounced simply unbearable. In all communities there are a certain, few who accept the unthankful responsibility of catering for suffering individual humanity, and Kumara is not behind any other in that respect. When we have a number of gentlemen who have, in the first place founded an Hospital Committee, and in conjunction therewith a Ward which anyone visiting the same must pronounce an efficient and well-conducted establishment ; and, bearing in mind the fact that it had been so meagrely supported in every sense of the word, I cannot understand how the ladies of Kumara can, in justice to the people, ask support from those who have in many instances given more than circumstances will permit to the Hospital Committee. It appears something like the last straw breaking the camel’s back, except that it may be dbne in ignorance of the difficulties under which they, the Hospital Committee, have labored so long. The old adage *'* charity begins at home ” is becoming one of the prominent features of the day m Kumara, and when those who are willing to give are oppressed by so doing they will have to kick, or otherwise act dishonestly. Ido not blame the ladies ■(God bless them) but as you have shrewly remarked it would be better were they to lend thir powerful assistance towards making a success of an already established fact, than to bother with what can never be a success in conjunction with an institution already established and languishing for want of funds, I am, yours, &c.. One op the Oppressed, Kumara January 23, 1878.