"THE DOCTOR" AND HIS CHAMPIONS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 71, 2 May 1879, Page 2

"THE DOCTOR" AND HIS CHAMPIONS.

On Wednesday latst, rather a strange spectacle was witnessed in Fox ton. It was that of three ladies, who had constituted themselves a deputation, and were perambulating the streets in search of signatures to a document. Upon enquiry, we learned that the document in question was to the following effect:— "We the undersigned protest against any attempt being made to get another medical man in Foxton, and request Dr Rocks trow to practice again, as heretofore." We very reluctantly refer to this unpleasant affair. Tbe Apos f le Paul may bo regarded as an authority upon such matters, and in one of his epistles to Timothy he called ladies who " wander about from house to house," two or three very hard names, it would be ungallant on our part to repeat. When, however, ladies leave their homes, where they rightly reign and rule, and thrust themselves, into the arena of public life, which is the province of man, and man only, they lay themselves open at least to the charge that they do not sufficiently appreciate their home duties and responsibilities, it is considered appropriate, and in keeping with the native kindliness of their disposition, for ladies to canvass for subscriptions for the sick, and

desfcitate i in stfch a case, all classes recog" nise at dfltte Me' appropriateness of the teuder ccx showing that ftyniptftby which is one of thebrightest jewels in-woman s efown. But we venture to say that the idea of ladies "retting up a relation and a protect in the interest of a Government Officer is an uuhoard-of interference, and ia a complete bi'eak»in iipari the proprieties by which tadios are generally supposed to be governed. Whether Dr. RocksH'oW had worked his fair champions up to the pitch of enthusiasm which exploded in the petition business, we do not know. He is such an adept at prtl) ing-wires to make his puppets daueej that we can ■Well believe some heavy sigh of regrtlfc at his Waning salary, or some oblique appeal of bis, has stirred the feminine generosity of Foxton. Hut whether such ig the case or not, the outre proceedings of his cham'p'iana will certuinly effect no good for their friend. It Yh»B well known a meeting was called for last night, regarding this question of a medical man for Foxton. the petition was evidently intended to diitmardh the inocting. If Dr Rockstrow feels flattered bj the result, verily that will be his only I'eWard ) but the men of Foxton will not be led from their determination by the signatures of a few ladies. Why was that meeting called for last night? "We will tell those ladies vfhf, Dt Hdcltstrow nlay hate tended their families id illness, and acted the part of a kind physician, tilt recently in other in stances he has refused td do so. Three lives hav3 been in danger during the* past few months, aud Dr Rockstrow ha 3 refused point blank to go near or do anything. Perhaps he was right in this. An a business man he knows lu3 own affairs best. But aio the people to stand still, and let their friends, relatives, and children die like dogs for want of medical advice ? The answer is No, a thousand times. If the man these ladies champion, through fattening on Government billets, can afford to slam the door in the face of those Who beg his advice and assistance, it becomes the duty of the people amongst whom he lives to endeavor to obtain another medical man. I either of the ladies who took that petition aiound had a child sick " nigh unto death," and the only medical man in the place refused not only to gee it, but even to mix it medicine, would they then have carried roun 1 a petition protesting against efforts being made to get another medical man ? Yet that was the treatment Mr A. S. Easton received, and he is prepared to vouch for it But the ladies admit all we say. They ask Dr Bockstrow to " re3uine practice as heretofore." Why did he cease? and when did he P A certain favored few, including ! the families of the pet-tioners, he has practiced for all along. Under these circumstances, we can only repeat our hope that we shall soon be able to welcome some worthy physician to our midst, who will not confine his services to a few friends, and we shall continue to urge upon the Government the desirability of conferring upon any such legally-qualified medical practitioner, the appointments of Native Medical Officer, Coroner, and Examiner for the Government Life Assurance Department, which are now held by Dr Rockstrow. We fully agree with our correspondent "X.Y. Z.," that the Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages should be the Clerk of the Court.