THE HOSPITAL QUESTION.

Kumara Times, Issue 485, 16 April 1878, Page 2

THE HOSPITAL QUESTION.

Last night the adjourned Public Meeting to consider the Hospital question was held in the Theatre lloyal, Seddon street, which was filled to the doors. Mr Barfp, who was voted to Ihe chair, explained the position of affairs as they were when the meeting was adjourned a fortnight previously. At the present time there was nothing before the meeting, and what they had to consider was the desirableness „pf establishing and maintaining a hospital in the district. Mr Dungan said that at the r -quest of the Coin.iiitten, which had now been in office for ton months, he tendered their resignations to the meeting. They did not sec how a local hospital could be maintained. It was moved by Mr Meers, and seconded by Mr Hassell, that the resignations be accepted Mr Croumbie-Brown explained that while feeling l.ounl to !, e guided by the majority . of his fellow-committee-men, and with them to tender his resignation, he differed entirely from Mr Dung,in in the opinion that a hospital could u>t l-e maintained in Kumara. The existing committee might

1 not see their way to it. but another would. < Mr Dungan said he was willing to give the meeting some information as to the position taken up by the Committee. Touching the difficulty that had arisen, it had not been their intention to resign at once were it not for the new element that had been introduced, viz. the proposition to establish a local hospital in place of the hospital ward. At the last meeting he had read a telegram from Under-Secretary Cooper stating that’the Government proposed building a hospital to cost .£1200,' of which sum £6OO would have to be locally raised. Since then a letter had been received [read] stating that it was contemplated to erect a building to cost £2OOO, of which, however, only a portion, sufficient to meet existing requirements, would at once be proceeded with He did not think the money could be raised, and therefore he would resign; but he had not the least doubt that in the district there were many other men more fitted to carry on hospital affairs. [Hear, hear,] Ihe Secretary read a balance-sheet similar to that presented at the previous meeting, showing that after discharging all liabilities the Committee would be ■ some £2O in debt. Mr Croumbie-Brown, after explain-' ing that under ordinary circumstances | objected to laying down the pen and taking to the platform, said that in this case he would make an exception as he felt a deep personal interest in the matter; and as a Committee-man and a subscriber to the funds of the Hospital he could claim a right to address the meeting. In doing so he would not travel, over the arguments which in another 1 form - he had been instrumental in placing before the public, but would deal as briefly as possible with the arguments advanced by Mr Dungan why in his (Mr Dungan’s) opinion, Kumara could' not support a hospital. When Sir George Grey was heie he had publicly and privately said that some exception would be. made’in favour of Kumara, and that it must and should have a hospital of its own: and that promiie was now in course of j redemption. Sir George Grey could | not personally supervise these matters. I He had probably given some general directions to an Under-Secretary, who. j had again submitted them to a Hubor- ■ dinate, and because that subordinate ■ had taken it; into his head to draw up I plans for a two-thousaud pound hospital, Mr Dungan forthwith jumped to j conclusion that only such a hospital would the Government assist us i to erect. He (the speaker) did not I think so; he believed that when the requirements of the place and the circumstances ot the people were more | fully made known to the Government j I when it was shewn to them that ; £6OO, and not £I2OO or £2OOO, was j quite sufficient to erect and furnish the necessary additions to the existing building, the Government would grant that sum free of all conditions (applause). It was true, as shown by the balance-sheet that at the present moment there was a debt balance of some £2O, but against that must be placed £195 dne by the Government to the Committee. Mr Brown proceeded to show from the balance-sheet read by the Secretary that there need be no difficulty in raising the moiety of the sum necessary to maintain.the hospital ; what, had been done in the past could be done in the future, and with all the more heartiness and liberality inasmuch as the money raised, instead of being sent to Hokitika, would be doubled by the Government and expended on the spot. He concluded by urging on the meeting not to separate without taking some definite step towards accepting the proposals of the Government. Mr Barrowman thought that if the meeting did not accept the resignations of the Committee it would place both the Committee and the public in an awkward position. The more practical way would be for the resignation to be at once accepted, and that the meeting should elect another committee. Mr Ancher said that the Committee, had tend* red their resignations, and whether they were accepted or not by th.it meeting they would still resign. Ho thought that another committee should he formed. Mr H. Brown thought that a committee should be appointed to recommend patients to the Hokitika or Gieyraouth hospitals. Ho one knew better than he that Kumara could not support a hospital. , Mr M. Griffiths suggested that the Chairman should put it to the meeting whether in their opinion the present ward system should be continued or a ’ local hospital established. He believed that if the lat ter were determined on the financial difficulty, would he overcome. Chairman cordially' supported Mr Gr'ffi ths’s proposition, and on the' question being pub to the m etiug, it was carried 'by a very' large maj rioy 1

that a hospital should be established in Kumara. 1 ; Mb Georoe Stewart in a forcible speech urged upon those present the necessity and duty of providing for tjie sick and wounded. Upon the motion of Mr Griffiths, seconded by Mr Murphy, it was rpsolved that the Secretary, Mr Nicholson, convene a meeting of subscribers tor the purpose of electing a Committee. It was also arrimged that the retiring Committee, to inborn a vote of thanks was passed, should carry on the ward pending the election of a. new committee. . .; -A- vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the proceedings to a. close.