KUMARA HOSPITAL AFFAIRS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2574, 4 December 1884, Page 2

KUMARA HOSPITAL AFFAIRS.

[to the editor.]

Sir—Mr reverend antagonist kicks out like an inverted capital tee. He soon had enough of me; but, in parting, he gives a faint side blow unworthy to be mentioned. He then fieezes on to the majority of the Hospital Committee, slashing them right and left like a Billingsgate fish-wife. The gentleman’s wrath will soon be spent in propounding bunkum, which I foresee will not have the effect he so much desires. It is a pity he has not a friend to pursuade him to mount the pulpit and confide his mistaken notions to his flock instead of the public at large. I think the Committee arcdoing a disagreeable duty in a straightforward, manly way, however distasteful it may be to the Rev. G. Hav’s stamp of subscribers. I should think Dr. Monckton was quite capable of taking bis own part. The spoci.il pleading of a minister, who appaientlv understands but lit He nf tin* ease, is no doubt extremely damaging to his client j

instead of closing the breach, the tone assumed has widened it. His proposition to call a public meeting is simply ridiculous. If Dr. Moncktou’s attainments are such as shadowed forth by his friend, then surely he must lie wasting his time and abilities by staying here. Even if he were kept on, the rupture between the parties leaves a taint behind not easily stifled, and which may at any moment break out again to the serious discomfort of those concerned. The Rev. G. Hay is still hard on the digger ticket-holder, and reviles him as the lowest. His exaggerated quotation from Scripture shows himself in his proper light. Dr. Monckton was not undressed by the Committee, neither did they half kill him and depart. S. S. December 3, 1884.

[to the editor.]

Sir —lt must be a source of great pleasure to those who are opposed to religion to hear the Rev. Mr Hay expressing himself as he has been doing late'y on Hospital matters. In his second letter he insinuated that there was a lack of marriage certificates in the place. And in to-night’s issue we are nothing short of a pack of thieves, and it is dangerous for honest men like himself to come amongst us. What a beautiful Christian-like sentiment! How well the Hev. Mr Hay seems to follow in the footsteps of our Saviour ! He says there are strange mutterings of embezzlement of funds, which the Committee are hushing up in the quietest manner possible. Now, sir, if there bad been any embezzlement of the funds is it the duty of the Rev. Mr Hay to rake it up if those in charge of the institution were trying to hush it up ? No ; certainly not. It is his place to preach the gospel to all mankind ; to teach charity; to induce (so far as lies in his power) men to forgive and forbear ; and it is also his duty to speak the truth ; for there has been no embezzlement of the Hospital funds, and I am very much mistaken if the Treasurer and Secretary, Messrs Campbell and Spyer, don’t make hini eat his words. He (Mr Hay) says the management is rotten to the core ; and there we have the whole of the Rev. MiHay’s trouble the management is rotten to the core. And why 1 Because the subscribers refused to elect the Rev. Mr Hay at the last annual election.

Poor “S. B,!” Whether you be “Sound Sense,” “Simple Silly,” or Simple Simon, cheer up ! dear old man ! if the great Hay of the Manse does say you are a nonentity.

The Rev. Mr Hay informs ns that ticket-holders are not charged 30s per week. Well, I’eally, Ido not know what to say to that; I suppose his word ranks above rules and else. He would like to see a portion of the committee asked to resign. Now here is a fair proposal. Let anyone of the majority who voted for the dismissal of the doctor resign, and contest the seat against the Rev. Mr Hay. I am not given to prophecy, but I don’t think the Rev. Mr Hay would make much of a figure at the poll. As to refusing to preach a sermon for the benefit of the funds; well, I think if the committee explain the position to the first theatrical company that comes along, they will give us a benefit that will do more towards the funds than all the sermons the Rev. Mr Hay would preach in Kumara if he preached from now to doomsday.—l remain, s s s December 3, 1884.