WAKATIP HOSPITAL.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume II, Issue 55, 7 November 1863, Page 6

WAKATIP HOSPITAL.

The Committee meeting, adjourned from last Monday, was held at Frankton on ThursdayMr. Gordon was voted to the chair, in the absence of Mr. Rees

Proposed by Mr. Lockhart, and seconded by Mr Healy—"That Mr. Rees be proposed as President to the institution."

Seconded by Mr. Healy, and carried. The application of Dr Croft for the office of hon. sec. was then lead and ordered to be received. (Mr. Recs having entered, took the chair.) Applications were read from Messrs Shaw, Douglas, W. B. Morton, and Pdley, for the office of resident surgeon. Mr Douglas's application stated that he understood "free quarters" to mean board and lodging; a discussion took place thereupon, until Mr M*Gaw moved—" That the spirit of their previous resolution be carried out." The Chairman—That is that no board be allowed ? Mr Mirfin moved as an amendment—" That the surgeon be allowed board." Seconded by Mr Mendershausen. Mr Gordon seconded Mr M'Gaw's motion, which, on being put to the meeting, was lost. Mr Gordon said that as they had refused to carry out their previous resolution, he should move—" That the surgeon's salary be £306 per annum with board and quarters. Mr Lockhart thought the throwing out of the motion did not negative the previous resolution. The minutes of the previous meeting were read, in which the resolution was arrived at. Mr M'Gaw objected, on the ground that the minute read was part of a printed report in the local paper, and not an original minute, recorded in the book. Dr Croft said there was not a book to be got in the town at that time.

Mr M'Gaw said the reports as printed were erroneous. The Chairman said the impression left on his mind was that no hoard was intended to be allowed. The advertisement said " quarters," but the minute as read, " free quarters." Mr Mirfin—Well, and what is the difference ? What is the meaning of •• quarters" but "free quarters." Mr Gordon—" Quarters" does not mean board. Mr Mirfin—What is a free house but free quarters ? This point was postponed, and Mr Gordon brought before the notice of the Chairman the fact that all the applications had been opened before the assembling of the committee, which he objected to. After a strong discussion, the meeting adjourned, on the motion of Mr Lockhart

PUBLIC MEETING. A public meeting was then held for the purpose of electing a president, surgeon, and non. secretary; and to pass the rules drawn up by the committee. Air Rees briefly explained the object of the meeting. Mr Harris moved that each candidate be allowed to nominate his own scrutineer, which was carried, Mr Harris being appointed for Dr. Douglas, Mr Bradshaw for Dr. Pelley, Mr Luscombe for Dr. Morton, and Mr M'Gaw for Dr. Shaw. The two latter candidates subsequently withdrew their applications. Mr Lockhart proposed Mr Rees as president. Seconded by Mr M'Gaw. Mr Harris proposed Mr Warden Beetham. Seconded by Mr B. Rout. Mr Rees—As far as I am personally concerned, I should wish to resign in favor of Mr Beetham. As he consents to stand. I will do so.

Mr Healy moved—" That the resignation of Mr Rees be not accepted," stating that Wardens in this district were birds of passage, and Mr Beetham might be moved the next day.—Carried. In answer to a question, it was stated that the patients in the hospital possessed of a card of membership would be allowed to vote. After the formal proposition of the candidates for the several offices,

Mr Harris said the election of the resident surgeon should not be carried by bribery. There were several persons in the possession of tickets who had not had them above a day or two, and every unfair endeavour had been made by a certain party to procure the election of a particular candidate.

This announcement caused great excitement and noise, several gentlemen speaking together vehemently. A voice called out from the hody of the meeting—" I've paid my pound only half-an-hour."

Mr Mirfin said there were patients in the hospital who had not been able to pay anything, according to their own account, for some time, but who were now able to find the pound necessary to procure a vote.

A further ebullition of feeling then took place, which was only stopped by the chairman requesting everybody to leave the room, to allow the taking and scrutiny of the votes. At the conclusion of the poll, the numbers were found to stand as follows:

President—Rees, 69; Beetham, 37. Surgeon—Pel ley, 66; Douglas, 51. Hou. Secretary—Dr Croft, 53. l)r Pellcv was therefore elected surgeon, Mr Ree>, president, and Dr Croft hon secretary. Mr Beetham said he purposely refrained from making any remarks at the commencement of the proceedings, preferring to leave the matter to their own judgment. The Hospital was not for Queenstown only—it was intended forthe Arrow, Shotovcr, and Kingston, as well; and had he been electid, it might have been productive of a feeling of jealousy. He therefore considered they had.-Tn;itie a good selection. He only had one desire—to see the institution prosper, and

as a committee-man he should do what he could to secure that end.

The rules of the Hospital were then submitted to the number of 45, and after being discussed seriatim, were passed, after sundry alterations. A vote of thanks was then passed to the chair and the meeting separated.

A meeting of the committee subsequently took place, Mr Rees in the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

The following applications were received : House Steward—John Rice, Wm. Percival, Andrew H. Guthrie, G. V. Burke, James Kirk, Frederick Fitt, Alexander Carnegie, J. Davison, W. Longman, J. Campbell, Alexandcrat Mhieson. Mr Kirk was re-elected.

Night Wardsman—H. J. Whitmore. Reelected.

Day Wardsman—Alexander M'lntosh,T. Lummeridge, D. Dooley, Wm. Smith, J. Shepherd, W. Griffen, P. Currie, J. M. Rice. A. M«lntosh re-elected.

The consideration of the appointment of a laundress was postponed. It was resolved to write to Mr Jarvis, the Government inspector of works, requesting him to fence in the ground belonging to the hospital, for the purpose of forming a garden. The meeting was then adjourned for a week.