The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 1883.

Kumara Times, Issue 2087, 9 May 1883, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 1883.

We are much pleased to see the useful, zealous, and energetic member of the Hospital Committee, Mr John White, manfully come forward to take up the cause of the Committee in a little agitation which has been set on foot by " A Well-wisher of our Local Hospital" in reference to a certain account which was passed for payment at the last meeting of the Committee. We hope, however, that the question at issue will not lead to personal animosities being engendered between the gentlemen who acted on the Committee and the public who have a right to criticise their actions. We believe the present members of our local Hospital Committee have the full confidence of the public. Still, when there happens to be a bare quorum present at a given meeting, out of a committee of thirteen, it is quite possible a majority of the six gentlemen (the number present at the meeting in question) many pass an account for payment which a full Committee would not sanction. The matter is a very simple one, and as we stated that this was the first we had heard of this transaction, and that we should look to the Committee for an explanation, we may accepb Mr White's letter as something towards it. He says the £ls formed a part of the gross amount passed for payment, which was published. If the item is entered in the minute book along with the other accounts, it- escaped our notice; but aven if it had not, it would have looked curious for us to single out this item from the other amounts and published it without any resolution thereupon. We CMilPiid that a large amount like this, of £ls, should not have been voted away with the other accounts, without any previous notification or recorded resolution of the Committee authorising ihe incurtnent of such expense; and

that it required at least a special resolution authorising the expenditure. All other monthly items, such as groceries, bread, salaries, &c, have at various tiraeß been authorised by special resolution or by calling for tenders. As we have said, the question is a very simple one, and ought to be settled without any bickerings. " A Wellwisher " was evidently of a decided opinion that the amount passed for payment for work done was far too much, and we have good reason for stafcin« that several members of- the committee, present and not present whoa the account was passed, are of the same opinion. L°t the question be referred to a full Committee, and we have little doubt the gentleman mostly interested will be satisfied with what a majority of that Committee may consider fair and reasonable, and will act accordingly.