The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1886.

Kumara Times, Issue 2938, 31 March 1886, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1886.

The reply of the Premier to the telegram forwarded on the 24th inst. by the Secretary to the Kumara Hospital Trustees as to whether it would be legal for the Trustees elected by the contributors to transact business in connection with the Hospita’ before the Trustees to be appointed by the local bodies were elected is to the effect that “ the Trustees must decide for themselves, as Government do not give advice in such cases." The Trustees last night, therefore, unanimously resolved to conduct any business which was of a pressing character, and elected their Secretary and Treasurer, in the persons of Messrs R. E. Wylde and L. Ziegler respectively. There is no doubt the new Trustees are perfectly justified in the view they have now arrived at, for while section 46 of “ The Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, 1885,” is mandatory as to the election of contributors’ trustees, the election of trustees by the local authorities is merely permissive. If, therefore, the local authorities need not elect trustees at all, it is clear the contributors’ trustees are not obliged to wait for an election which may never occur. The Trustees last night did, however, decide, in the matter of framing new regulations and as a matter ol courtesy to the gentlemen who may be appointed Trustees by the County and Borough Councils, to wait until such were appointed, as it was understood they would be soon.

There is another matter upon which the Act is vague, aud that is the number of trustees the local bodies may elect up to five. We have only two contributing bodies to our institution the County and Borough Councils. We see no reason why the two bodies should not elect five trustees between them, instead of only one each, as we understand is contemplated. Previously the Hospital Committee consisted of thirteen members. The contributors have elected six, and if the local bodies only elect one each, there will be a committee of only eight—a most unusual number, and one upon whom the duties of House Committee uiiiy fall often and heavily ; whereas if the local authorities elected four oi five, it would ease the work for all. Both bodies will contribute a very huge proportion of the income lor the maintenance of the Hospital, and it. would be only fair to give them a corresponding or an approximate voting power.