A COMPLAINT.

Kumara Times, Issue 1750, 10 May 1882, Page 2

A COMPLAINT.

[TO THB-EHtoOR.] *?? R ’~l£ esi r e 9 brin £ ni \der the notice of the public the following /acts with regard to our local hospital, and the treatment that I received while there. In the' firstplace l have always baen a ticketholdef in the hospital since it was estabtbe “fortune to need the' assistance of the institution for a fortnight previous to this, when Dr. Hnxtable was in charge, and I publicly thanked him for' his kindness and attention to me, which he deserved. But lam sorry to say that necessity compelled me to try and get rehef there again last Wednesday morning when I was insulted and abused by DrPorter, for no reason whatever, nor can I understand what cause he had to use the words he did to me. Wien I arrived there he asked me some questions about my illness, Which I answered as well as I could, and with Civility and respect, whereupon he flew into a passion and tcli me I would have to leave, and tliat quick if we fell out. Now thinking' that perhaps something may have put him about I took no notice of this, but when he still continued treat me in the same way I thought it was time to leave, as I could not hope to get any benefit from a man who was continually sneering and insinuating that I need not expect to get w U T^.-i t lG rr’ turned out of Hokitika Hospital mcurable. Now Sir I wish to explain the meaning of the last sentence. I was advised to try the Hokitika Hospital about two months a<m and did so arid was relieved, after being there two weeks, and eft of my own accord, but suftenng a relapse and being entitled to the benefits of this hospital, and bein</ nearer my home, 1 thought I would try what could be done for me there, bat the* Dr. told me that I was ifot entitled to anV assistance there, as it was only for broken bones and accidents. Now what I complain of is,-why did the committee simr an admission ticket for me' when they’ knew I was not suffering from broken bones, and according to Dr. Porter not entitled to any help front the hospital, and why don t the hospital manaime--nlent carry out this, if such is a fact, and not cause a sick man to be subjected to such treatment as I complain of. But such is not the case, as the majority of patients that use the institution are not cases °f accident, but like myself suffering form some complaint or other that needs toe help of a medical man to put right. If the hospital is kept up for «ie benefit of Dr. Porter to receive his £2OO per annum,- and vent his ill temper on poor unfortunates Who may come under his charge, I pity them, but I have always been under the impression when a man bought a ticket he had a rmht to medical treatment and civility at the mstitutioni if he required it, and not to be bullied and insulted by anyone Trusting that you will insert this in your valuable paper. ‘ J lam, &c., t-kii * hit r\ T - Thomas, Dulman sf, May Bth, 1882.