The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, APRIL 23 1878.

Kumara Times, Issue 490, 23 April 1878, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, APRIL 23 1878.

It is already known to the public through these columns that, in response to representations made to it, the Government has consented to grant to Kumara a sum of .£6OO for the purpose of making such additions to the existing local Hospital Ward as will render it capable of receiving and treating all the cases now sent either to Hokitika or Greymonth. The original intention was to erect a hospital at a cost of £I2OO, of which the people of

Kumara were required to find a moiety; but it having been represented to Sir George Grey that £6OO would be sufficient to meet all requirements, he has directed that that sum should be granted free of all conditions. It is unnecessary to go over the arguments from time to time urged in these columns in support of. the establishment of a local Hospital \ but we may be pardoned if we point out with feelings of satisfaction that not only has their soundness been admitted by the public in the most practical manner; but the Government has exhibited praiseworthy alacrity in endorsing them.

What remains to be done is that the meeting of subscribers and ticketholders, to be held to-night, Bhould elect a Committee having the confidence of the community, and possessed of sufficient " gumption'.' to seize the opportunity now presenting itself, and turn it to advantage. At the invitation of the Mayor of Hokitika, delegates from the Kumara Borough Council have been appointed to attend a Conference on the Hospital question, which it is proposed should shortly be he held. The question for consideration by the Conference will be, we believe, tho advisableness or otherwise of local governing bodies taking the management of district hospitals. The chief argument against their doing .so is that thereby the Voluntary Principle would be entirely paralysed, inasmuch as experience teaches us that j>eople : will not give of their own free wiil when the management of affairs is in the hands of an independent and (to them) irresponsible body. In the case of the Kumara Borough Council there are other reasons, obvious to every thinking man, why it should not be entrusted with the charge of a hospital; but inasmuch as all the members, we ate informed, repudiate any desire to accept the responsibility, we are spared the unpleasant task of being more exiplicit on this point. ".., ■. The duty of the meeting to be held: k>night will, therefore, be ta.ch.96se from amongst the citizens of thetowii '"&'. committee of practical men,independent' of creed or profession, to whose 'hands may be safely confided the important charge of managing the affairs ofa local hospital. , It would-be invidious mention names; but nothing should be men e easy than to pick the right ones. Hitherto, it would appear, judging from the composition of corporate bodies—sayj for instance, the Borough Council—a belief has been prevalent that all the wisdom and virture of Kumara are the exclusive attributes of one particular class of tradesmen, to wit, the licensed victuallers. But while admitting that there may be good men and true amongst them, the time in the history of Kumara has surely arrivtd when the whiskey interest should not continue to reign paramount. By all means let it be duly represented on the Hospital Committee; but let other and, to say the least, equally reputable sections of the : community have a voice in the matter. We hope to see a large attendance tonight.