HOSPITAL MEETING.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 140, 3 November 1871, Page 6

HOSPITAL MEETING.

The first legally constituted meeting of contributors under the Hospital Ordinance took place at the Oddfellows' Hall, Hunter's Empire Hotel, on Tuesday last, the 31st ultimo, at uoon, in terms of the Superintendent's proclamation to that effect. The unseasonable hour for which the meeting was convened caused the attendance, as might have been anticipated, to be very thin. H. W. Robinson, Esq., being voted to the chair, said that, as the meeting was

so thinly attended, there being barely the number of contributors under the Ordi-

nance necessary to validate the proceedings, he did not think it would be advisable to proceed to business. It had been suggested to him that the best way to get over the difficulties which had arisen from the illegality of the former meeting would be to re-elect the gentlemen who had been elected on that occasion, and so far as possible confirm those proceedings. He (the Chairman) looked upon the suggestion as a good one, and as a graceful compliment alike to the gentlemen who had been elected and to the meeting which elected them.

On the motion of Mr. GRUMITT, the meeting was adjourned till the evening at 9 p.m.

At the adjourned meeting Mr. H. W. Robinson again occupied the chair. He pointed out that, in consequence of some mistake, the proceedings of the former meeting were void, and therefore the whole transaction would have to be gone over again. As this could not be helped, it would be only wise to make the best of it. The meeting of this morning had been so poorly attended that it had been adjourned till this evening, in the expectation of a much larger attendance. It might have been thought, had the small meeting of the' morning proceeded to business, that partiality had been displayed. The institution, to be a success, must enlist on its side public sympathy and public support, and I to obtain these it must possess public confidence. The previous failure had arisen from a very proper determination to do nothing excepting in a legal and proper J manner. He trusted there would be no further disappointment, but that the movement to be formally initiated this evening would result in a perfect success. It would be well to proceed at once to business. Though the last proceedings were illegal, the time would not all be lost, as it would enable us to get over this evening's duty much more speedily. Mr. DE LATIUR enquired whether the number of members of Committee should be the first business of the evening.

The CHAIRMAN: Yes. The number determined upon at the late abortive meeting was eighteen —twelve for Naseby and six for the outlying districts.

The hon. Secretaby (Mr, E. T.GEORGE) then road the report of the proceedings of

the meeting of the 13 ih, which appeared in our issue of the 20th nit. The Secretary further read telegrams which had passed between himself and the Government on the subject of the late abortive meeting, with the details of which the public are already acquainted.

The CHAIRMAN said that the first thing to be done was to determine upon the name by which the institution should be known.

Proposed by Mr. M. N. COOPER, seconded by Mr. A. Simpson, and carried unanimously—" That the institution be called the Mount Ida District Hospital."

Proposed by Mr. M. N. COOPER—- " That the gentlemen elected at the late illegal meeting be the first Committee of Management. The CHAIRMANstated that information had reached him that two of the gentlemen —Messrs Morrison and Bremner—had declined to act.

Proposed by Mr. M. N. Cooper, ded by Mr. E. T. G-eobqe, and carried—- " That the following gentlemen constitute the first Committee:—H. W. Robinson, E. T. George, W. Inder, C. A. de Lautour, H. A. Stratford, M. Brookes, Wm. Grumitt, John Creighton, Eugene O'Callaghan, H. B. M'lntosh, E. C. Smith, H. C. Hertslet."

With regard to the members for the outlying districts, Mr. DE LATOUR proposed that the names stand as before. He made the proposition from the fact that he was personally aware of the interest taken by these gentlemen in the movement, and the trouble to which they had been put in obtaining subscriptions. Seconded by Mr. DILLON, and carried;— Kyeburn, W. Morgan ; Hamilton, Joseph Bremner ; St. Bathans, T. Mulvey; Hills Creek, R. Johnstone ; Hyde, J. Laverty; Serpentine, John Cogan. Mr. E. T. GEORGEe proposed, and Mr. W. INDER seconded, H. W. Robinson, Esq., as President. Carried.

Mr. W. INDER proposed, and Mr. E. C. SMITH seconded—it being explained that Mr. Stratford, who had been elected at the last meeting, would not find it convenient to act —"W. Grumitt, Esq., as Treasurer. Carried.

Mr. SIMPSON proposed, and Mr. M. N. COOPER seconded, E. T. George, Esq., as Honorary Secretary. Carried. The Chairman said that the Committee and Officers being now duly elected, there was some very heavy work before them, from which, however, he felt sure they would not flinch. Among other duties would be that of preparing rules and regulations to be submitted to the general meeting of subscribers to be held in January next.

Mr. SMITH said that he would re-pro-pose the resolution proposed by Mr. Ross at the last meeting, having reference to this subject. (This appeared in our issue of the 20th ultimo.) Seconded by Mr. JOHN CREIGHTON and carried.

Mr. Dillon asked the Chairman Lo explain the qualification necessary to enable persons to vote at the January meeting. There were, to his knowledge, numbers of persons willing to pay their subscriptions, but they did not fully understand their position in the matter, and what was required of them.

The Chairman said that he was glad the question had been asked, and read and explained clause 2 of the Hospital Ordinance, 1870, and in doing so said that though the first annual meeting would take place in January next, when a new Committee would be appointed, the first meeting had taken place this evening upon the birth or nativity of the Hospital which had been that evening named. He reminded gentlemen who had promised to pay their contributions on demand, that their yearly subscription, whenever called

for, dated from this date?—the foundation of the Hospital. Mr. DILLON moved, and Mr. HERTSLET seconded—-"That the hon, Seerotary be requested to publish in November, for general information of subscribers, the clause read by the Chairman, so that they would know their position in time for the January election." Carried.

Mr. HERTSLET proposed, and Mr. E. T, George seconded- "That power be given to the Committee to select an eligible site and make application for grant of same ; call for and accept tenders, and proceed with the erection of the building forthwith ; and to apply to the Government for the payment oi the £250 voted by the Provincial Council for that purpose." Carried.—ln moving this resolution, Mr. Hertslet took occasion to speak somewhat strongly on the indifference and neglect, if not something worse, with which this district had been treated by the Government in this and other matters.

On the motion of Mr. DE LATOUR, it was unanimously agreed that the Hospital account be kept at the Bank of New South Wales.

A vote of thanks to the Chair terminated the proceedings.

In the House of Representatives, the Gold 1 Miners'' Drainage Bill> Gold Mining Districts Bill, and Land Transfer Act Amendment Blll> passed through. Committee, and were read a thirds time.

The excitement with reference toBendigo mining stock is something wonderful. The speculative mania 1* increasing, and has extended to Castlemaine. Persons are leaving their busi--ness to join in the speculation, both in Melbourne and Sandhurst. A ' 4 Constant Traveller " writes to* the ' Waikouaiti Herald':—".! wish' you would advertise for an overseer t& superintend the two roadmen employed! between Morrison's and the Pigroot, as I assert that the one m:m working between Luks' and Morrison's- does more* in one week than the other two does in. three months." A return has been laid on the- table of the House of Representatives, of theexpenses of Mr. Vogel's trip to England. The items nre as follows : —Travelling allowance, £2224 18s. ; do. tosecretary, £2lO 10s.; passages, £2.16 ; telegrams, £lB9 Bs. Gd. ; official rooms, stationery, and incidental expenses, £321 14s. lid.; total, £3165 10s. sd.