The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 1881.

Kumara Times, Issue 1526, 18 August 1881, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 1881.

Not long since, we took occasion to call public attention to the strange apathy shown, by the public generally and by the miners particularly, with regard to the raising of funds for the Kumara Hospital. The present appears to be an opportune occasion for again making a few remarks on the same question. It is a singular but very instructive fact that during the last twelve months, only one hundred and sixty tickets were taken Out) and of these one hundred and thirty were used* The natural inference to be drawn from this most unsatisfactory state of affairs is that it must be the almost invariable rule to wait for sickness or accident before the ordinary mining contribution is made to the funds of the institution. How, under such circumstances, can the hospital funds be kept up to a satisfactory standard, more especially when we consider that most undeniably every patient admitted costs more to the hospital than the amount of the subscription ticket, and the weekly payment, supposing that such payment is made with due regularity 1 Two curious caseß are reported as having occurred recently. In each intstance it was requested that an annual ticket should be filled up, and that payment would be made as soon as a washing-up took place. The tickets were duly presented and the men then said that they did not require them, as their health had materially improved, and they Were able to do a good day's work again. Surely such conduct cannot be too strongly reprobated. These are solitary caseSj it ia true, bnt they serve to illustrate some of the difficulties which beset the path of those who undertake the very thankless task of attempting to make two ends meet in connection with the revenue and expenditure of the Kumara Hospital. Miners as a rule, and to their Credit be it said, are not usually behindhand when called upon to subscribe toward the necessary funds for charitable objects, but, on the contrary, are foremost in cashing up when demands are made upon them. From some unaccountable reason, however, or from some combination of reasons, the subscriptions here have been doled out in the most niggardly manner. In other places on the Coast the miners take a pride in maintaining the efficiency of thehospital to the funds of which they are called upon to subscribe; but this district ia unfortunately in an exceptional position in that respect, and the reason is hard to discover. The Kumara Hospital is in every respect a most creditably kept institution, and will compare most favorably with others of the same class. Every one must admit that the medical officer is clever in his profession, and most painstaking in the discharge of his duties ; that the attendants are invariably attentive, kind, and assiduous in the carrying out of thenrespective functions, and that every possible care is taken of the patients. All that is required is a little moie of the sinews of war. In brief, things have come to this pass, that if funds are not more liberally contributed, the question of closing the hospital will shortly have to be taken into serious consideration. So long a.s it is open for the reception of patients, the expenditure must go on, and if the revenue received does not . balance that outlay, it will bo impossible to catry on much longer. In conclusion, we wish it distinctly to be understood, that, the remarks we have made are not intended as a reproach, but simply to act as a stimulus to the inhabitants of this district to give a larger slm-e of attention t<> the maintenance of the local hospital.

To-moiTow evening an opportunity will be given of indirectly subscribing to the funds of the hosptitul by strong] v supporting the efforts of the Amateur Dramatic Company in this direction ;

but we trust the community will bear in mind, notwithstanding, that voluntary contributions are the chief mainstay of the institution.