Public Meeting.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 16 July 1891, Page 2

Public Meeting.

« .Last night the Public meeting convened by the Mayor to ascertain what support couid be obtained from the Public towards guaranteeing the income of a Resident Medical man, was held at the Public Hall. We were pleased to see so large and- representative a gathering. In the absence of the Mayor, Mr J. R. Russell was voted to the chair, and read a letter of apology from Mr T. Wilson, in which he stated that he fully sympathieed with the object of the meeting and would do his fair share in any guarantee required. Mr Gardner had also desired him to state that he would assist. Mr Russell than remarked that they all knew he was, as he had always been, in favour of some such movement, but as he had not come prepared to take all active part, he had no scheme or proposal to make, so he would call on Mr Gower. Mr Gower thought that there would have been some resolutions put to the meeting. It seemed to him the right plan-to appoint a committee, arid for them to secure a vigorous canvasser. When in Wellington he had seen Mr Turner, who had promised on a sufficient guarantee being found, to do his best to get a doctor. He (the speaker) would do his part in assisting the matter. In answer to questions Mr Russell explained the nature of the guarantee given to Dr Barber. Mr Stansell suggested that to put an issue before the meeting a committee be formed, and a canvass be made to test the district. He therefore moved;' That a committee be formed consisting of Messrs Stansell, Easton, Thynne, Gibson, and Woodham, and a canvass for subscriptions towards a guarantee for a resident medical man be made. Mr Thynne seconded the motion, but suggested that the meeting should fix the terms offered. He suggested the following addition. Such guarantee to be a sum paid -to vthe- doctor for one year, by quarterly payments, the subscribers to the fund paying the year's subscription on signing the guarantee form. Mr Ray thought that- the offering of a guarantee to a doctor would not meet the views of the people. It must be a single responsibility as no one would care to join in a mutual guarantee for a large sum. Mr McMillan remarked that thos« who guaranteed the larger sums would also most probably have then to pay more than they had promised owing to the size of their families, and this would assist the poorer people. Mr Gower suggested that the meeting raises £2 to pay a canvasser and that the chairman test the meeting by immediate inquiry as to the amount they would be willing to give. Mr Russell objected to their being asked for a cash payment, though he thought all would join in guaranteeing the doctor would make a certain income. He then put the resolution with the addition, which was carried only six voting against it. The chairman then called on all those who were willing to subscribe to hand in their names and amounts which totalled to the very satisfactory sum of £52. A collection of shillings was made for the canvasser, and a sum of 27s was obtained, though a very large number had omitted to come provided with such a coin. Mr Gower, in moving a vote of thanks to the chairman said that there was a broader view of the movement to take than that of the ' amount whioh eaoh should pay, as

those who contributed more than .night be thought needful for themselves were helping their poorer neighbours who could not do so much. Mr McMillan seconded the motion and the chairman having acknowledged the compliment the meeting vconcluded. A meeting of the committee was at once held, when several other names were added to the number, and Mr McMillan was .ejected treasurer, and Mr Woodham, ohairman, Steps were proposed! so as to get a canvasser out at once.