THE OAMARU HOSPITAL

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 236, 24 January 1877, Page 2

THE OAMARU HOSPITAL

Ti:e autittt£ g .ts r.d nr.etirig of the sirbacribyrs t»» the Oariran Mospitnl was b.bl I:n6 ovtmn» in the Vt»!cint-!vr Hall, the PruaUletti (IV. J. Steward, Esq.) in the chair. Tatrj wt-re abottt ttvutity-five s:«b----33T'I;«--I pr, S Tit. Ti;e f*j>:netl the proreedin ;s hy »• vti m up ;hu Sfc •.•t-svy tr> r-ad t!ie i'i:i ',tl r -po •(. r.-hiw'h w.n a.+ t Vonr iitt f-Tt'-mUtui'.' t i-ir ;ia ir d r ••> t.eve :r !;d D e "tt~ ■ I i ■!.'/• f i ,i.'i •i- 'T i' - ■ a .«:u dt. I' ;i •„'; <: • !:(. !; v\ 1 r' •;.» ill t f h -If pf.'d C. <- ; I:'..' y *vx 1 lo** { » i avhl C with n, I»ala;u'..- itt hand o? L'Jli; •! U, and the y«-ar tlnT with a bjiLtnee in fiand of I In. ->d.. in other worth, that the total r»u ip'.-i of t'ae year haw nt»' mjt the is-pi-ri'ltl'.itru wii'iia th" ve:»r t»y th; stun «>f tddt to!, itt. Iltf! 1 if. K< r meinlier. dt'ia" anvxp. nditmv r >'2l~» i ?-t. 2 I. ■ •v. r an 1 afso-.-e the L"X> br ' '••• IvE:;m't,i; •d C ' 1 rri •:t b.« -ri sae i:rd h* the • r y i a:t of a il > k F«-«- r 'oir I. i ! ri'jfi t 11» <'rn ( : j'J I 2 L). ".!! I .:d t. e M'en. of Lit.j h ('fit. 'o.d.sacv in. h.ei 1) h- ~( t-e tot d«Sp a lit.ft" \ a.-» ; ir.vsi in to baUie; t .-the •(, U wdt be J.eiud th-C th" ne'"t or tiua-y » X;;>wr tit ire i. no.' 11 i.S' ■■ I to * i 'll ti.-'-. !! i. I aid d :d:te ■- .'•■ i.; th'or.i t :v v v,-;i.ti" >:i le th ' a" Vi»ie . ..f th'r t'oil.ue.l "f and tai- UaV.rtcin I a-i-l at ili > ia l ,'inni'i; ot I u«', ! { ). il r.'ld l> ' tioijvl th". 1 " tft • 'or till ii"/ iiii'> a : arao'iriL-d L s '*> tr.- 5 - tf 1., or p, h dan.;.! of t;u '.Lie over v*:[ij.i 'itai'e of L."O:. ;; l. *, on •Fo inn t'e.\ hovvwi'i*. d sit*; •> d-ra-v- t'i ■ Hia eVJ i-Jt nt'on of eo the fe-f t!:a r v. '.e.* KiMf-rt ► fh r ;ttjtt'tueh.n h tw -W -d a h »h.+: Iy i>; LI f>r ill oa s'llpri.ot;4 r> I dona'io u-. it i;. at leav'. v! -u 1 > f d wheih ;*. rut i r tFr? tt - 'p'>;•. i-i.;s dy w;,!! 1. • hi iati.i s d at.ei" t ie » spry "t t «• currwu!". »• nmient) ii,ia.,<.i it y« u*. arid than HI- f..ie ev>-nt of it.+ i> it ; to art/ e'Ki'a!■ L' • k' . u* r:iii:ejd. Li', niit U - a in!, iy iii.ia.cv tie'" v!u- r ve i.t ■ it' >ai v.a ar. t d >aa?;o:;.i sho'dd 1. j hi '.-.i.-r !. > t.Uo-L cl;.i It >he ri.>. .' la ta.:i .-a:. t' ;'t. • O ov. in; t." a I o'la.ad :i''r». ii.. v nf r v : I rj . c • .js ut t ;■ e p irt of ~ . '. .. a I ' • a .. i . ' ou i.,y nu ,:.e- o- .«. v -»-r.v :.e • l-aw* .. i: 111- te..■! \ eni -a !i«t. fa ■ » Sp.ei ,i: tve "i tie irnfieutto:i • !>.:.• n« \ 1< ertlly lie.tvy. yt: 1 ". tnal ivir'i j'.e i'apid ine vaa" »»f t;e pop'il '.i i' ti. ;i.a l in ii'..-> r.f:> of ti ; t e.vri. probai'le. in iae t'afu v, e'.vi itre:v tsed iL.-ui ireN itp-.n tc ia all:r,. : ort eery i. - increase I de-nati U up >a t.w; tusd"ado;r tu ty lie aute.e pe'e t. [;■ will I',,- ivie. inhered that at f.'i-* las' ni tf T if Vviti iee'ei'iu,n rii Ea;i,t .-.tep.- »!iouhl b • taken f" provide a -• -pacat.- atl i d >\ie ;ed w.vr.l f e- C e..- tr. atui. Nt of t". v\ r- p:!.r!eiif~ r an I tit o-!> diftn.-e to ynr i.n-.r.i'm; ioe.s your t-•►minilt.• •, caliw ! t>•*» t ad e - -.tr;;.-'ue.t tte v.oek to Mr. .bdiu t* mi. t»y w;.»>ai tlie i-►siEt-ae" wj faUuthdlv i-.ieii'.d o tt, the had it'.i having, i'iir a-iiu 1 liioat e- 1 . f'ee*. aval aldw* for t.ie p u-po-s ' i:»t-;:i Lit, and it* etvetiiill !i;i.vi;; ;■ O ! J' t le Cof;tt .*ai 11 t»f I>»I ' {.»... 2!.. f. ;i, -d.4 i e m;hu »»i L'l.ij wa.s e -slll-: I>■ I : * d' y I i»e ! d' ► 'p. a'a i- •:« of t a n'ti. 1E;1.1 i-pl I '.'. .-:!;:<*■• j." , t cee- io[i, it >»> -< Hot yet U-\ u I'eipi red to i>r il . d. (in tli, ■ Is? .F.iauary. idlV>. t'n re were i-tl the I[o p i.te uts. uti t si:;ee th ai to t' ;1 <h auber la-t. td" iit fa have li»h ti uduiift'd. Tteddu. - a rote. 1 oc ' Oi thi e.e. tlu.re ii i.ve h en dd.e air.; -d. etuvd. or v liev d. ~d ; t ere die I, Id : and t'n v.' l-'eie i.: eed m th' i fo.tpUiil on t ie Ist J.uuwx . t'd". '.) pa'rents. T..e t.»l«l nee a ten > uee Monej* reveived from pineal I;-.; lee; a Lot. Tile ftv.-ra.'e e of iti,-i i;vtell(.re p-'I" d.'iy fia.! In':.-!'. pel" patient. Tee r'atienr.i *.v-Te ehretly from »>.f;;n*n, and pi'iei-'.'ip dly t;d<o;-er.«. a prop.a'-hi-.u o, : t'i •e r- !«.•>.:> f itij *.ri -s tr ,; a ac.*fd 11 i:.-i, re I, t'.e dh-ee... e ehh dv pre', ai,. tit eein ; er. err f • M- l reerra flv;i. T,e ii.il.ion ,!,t eiidth ■pa rea -V v.-.-r •as foj.'o-.. •: fi-'-.h. d' : > n :d.ei. 2d : S;o - laud, b'- ; .*.r;da*uU , ;>.«! ; (•"'.'.•yaic.*, y.i.ir I 'oi!!"i;i r • • have to t\ port e»Ttau» e':e.;v:. - in th" o'H : -ra of the Itv-ti-atio;i. v.d- 'eh. t ie-. i il >:tl f- I'Ul 1 >:e ;s ii}' to ,1, , O.- Ie- ; to ,h- n l to;, i 11: Mr. aal Mi--. Uo •', tsf W: i-.tef ant 31a d'ott. Mr., and Id;«. h'. S. Jioorj vwreapp t«'- :d iri t'ie!r ■' t.-id. aa t t-ttia red u,«.:i t tetr re»peer.ire ofHt: s on the ls»fe .ittly la«v. and j ir i.4 hopt-i.'id'y aad ape.t, d that they will | uive t'v-. i v .-:.t •• t te. iio:v in rite d'.-s; ha -_'e of J their deteVa Tie ot'.cr ehaa-e t » wltieh yowl' i'oa-nd't *•> latvv t • rethr U fhu aataih.ui.id 'i' of Hi- o'lre ,-s "f tydleetor an 1 ll:\ iduu.-'i tn.V:Rjf r.pnotur.ed 1 od'ei.tor/.'-e 1/1 '*. . .-*lt[»etl. at ii eouun'u.sio» "f five p. f CJHt. "Il all l'evyritie, e\elav.' of ititeia at mi Hioa.-y irr.VHtjd vn mortgage, and tii'Mtit-tiatie.,* tviotiey.

Yt.nr t '■ iinuilftf:.' ha v.: fartVr if Not re;.-t'u-ii. Dr. Wr.it:, living »U>ut to visit Grcaf. BrtSiUti, baa vj-Uxvsd bb of tH; die:;. 1 . and (».trta;td haa {>•.•«?* apjvhitod to that o'.vic. p. n ling the ;«jn>usutviiv»t of a .VLdteil 0.t.c.-r by this m.v ting. _ Dura:';- t.iw yt-ar, Comm'tic.; lnvc held nint'Lt'tt uts.tin,'*, t»f vhic 1 twJvc have I'i'vu ordinary. awl sjVw-ti sp.c.al. t'hu att-uiittic.' ot tlit? various numbers fins Un aa PrtaKU-nt, 11: Vice- I'ivtfUlrf>r, S ; J. li.v, .11; S. Dnctli, 4 ; T. H. JJrown, 12; T. A. Ctwvt'9. 1-; T. 13: <-?• Gatbn.idi, 8 ; T. W. Üblup, t> : A. J. S. Ika-Uaud, lt> j J. L-»ck«v i>; - 1 - Lj'Uton, 16; »l. iViaiijiliati l t. 1 * r I'owlati fc, I*l- - c mwln urtg. their t\.|>o: J r your GVmmictee have pLaamv in point.lig to the condition of the Hospital, financially and

otherwise, as being generally satisfactory ; l>:it at the same time reiterate their that incro.tsud effort will in the future be necessary in order to maintain a sat'sfactory condition of the funds. Your Committee recommend that an ap- , peal be inad.?, with this view, to thy various churches, asking each to devote a Sand iy iltiriiig tlie year to special c »11eci tioris f.»i* t ie benefit of t ;e institution. In this connection, t ;ey think it very net* ss-iry to d'sil»:i3-j the public mill I of art imp;*. sdou w.iich seems to have got abr.«al that the Hospital has lar.'e inviMtcrt fan sto f ill back up »:i. It is tra: t i.j? f.vt» .sums, amounting to/ tier t> Ll.'D) have !.von inves e I up m moi*cui:i ; in a:i annual iw iiu ; of L '.; i;i ill.s.i.ape •>.* interest, or rather nvfi- 8 per cent. : but your Committer ! earnestly u :*_;•« that the capital sum should I be he! 1 ».-.ero«l to assist in mec'.ing t .e ne- | cecity, which must in the future arise, fur the enlargement of the buildings ; aucl | that. year by year, the current income shotd 1 be made to meet the current orditjexr> ii Uiure. :: >.v the trust committed to them in'o your band:-*, jour Comm.tt e ; !;»»:»' tit *.S t!i jis* »ic »r* miy m ;et with ! uv '»i in:>•>;*•. at the nands o: t :o ' ptddie, : :t ! tr:i->: that the imSjlj institution • v.- j'j't ias li ».v eomp'.etj 1 iive years ot it:; !.t : v«id t:i the future continue t ) lie I mahitahied in an (Tiijieisi s'ate, and lie the :.i,-.n; of affording relief an.l assisi- | t > the sick arid s.td'jrsnj of the c >;nI muni;.". \V;i. ,J. S ;;.\v\::r> President, S« <i :<i r Vice-President, T. A;:t::*/:: Ci/jV..;;, Member of C'um- ! tndlee. J The Ci:\:v.'i\s asked if the meeting wonl.l preihr to di.-c;ss the r. port, or that 1 the «■? -e.'ec :;.:oaid proje-al to read tae , I.aiaac :-:. : he-et. ?L\ suggested that the ; b-.da:iee-shcet should be read, and then ! thero were any remark 3 the discussion |>7 mid talc-: p!.:oj o:» the report and ' imf-sr-Ci eet together. ! Ti • Secretary r.»ad the f oil j wing ! D.:. Cj d. ' "I".- titce :mt last sints- ; i.t:P; ..." 01J 20 <i- .. S..'. ;-i • ; a'.: i O.w t ...;s e r\ .10 0 I .. S:»b<rd-." t..r | .. D>. IS,'!! IS ) '•» 11 .. M >.:;iu-:ia:ie-' -•! *:i v ... -"'I 0 0 | .. i ." ... 0 0 ' ~ f«-.r st S ) 13 0 i .. To v.-1 ('•>.in.-il V.»lj for | r.d ?/)') 0 0 I >'.i!c :ji Gra.i3 o:i Grouudd 11 0 0 £'l.-i')j 7 10 : .. i , ..:':U'.ce ... ... ... loi 10 0 ; i:xrnxi>rri*nt:. Ck. £' ?. d. ! Cy SiLt.iri.-:? ... ... ... 070 1. > 4 .. !tit:o;>s ... ... ... 1 : L IS 4- .. Stur.sa'id Furu iu'V ... 4-0 11 G .. .M •dreinds and 3L lieal S <'o:iiforts ... ... 52 18 3 j .. 11.-d .. A H'e'ti.siu r, iv'-. 1) (i i' .. {5 tri d ...v tis -s ... ... 7 .. Irteid -:it ti Iv< •-:is-.s ... 2j 11 0 ~ i'h - . ',-t'*iri a;i-l Ma : nt jnanc j of Hail {in c* ... ... 008 13 9 .. il »ad t > Hospital and liiiof C>rounds 21 11. 8 Rd.t!! 1«8 1(5 o ! | £1,400 7 10 ; Audit-d and found c urect, Ilrrvnv Attickn*. / An:lito „. CJroin::: MafTiw, ) n,v;ui';i. d.in. I'J. 18T7. M". X. FEjuitnj moved, and Mr. J. ll .r.rh re ■ >:! L-il, that tlie report and bataric '-s'lts-t a'i read bo tidopied. The ns>»:iou carried uuaniiuou.sly. i The C'hairman reinarke l that th.erc v/as u:t .-i t :.; Mt jr»:i e >ntaiiie I in the report v.lt'i r.'/af-l to asking fho di.iVreiit ehtsrchv:- t » apart a da;*, bnfc it was to b > piv-.stim-d that the meeting, by tiie ; adopri-»;i i f t!ir report. apt»r.»ved of t!:e' : >• .:i"; • : 'i ' j Mr. .Kieitdtig would v.i.;h to ask the try l:«>w many application.'* there | had been for a;lm.ss:;ion into the Fever | Ward, a!i' l it be had heard medical men (.'Spi'v-i.s a:i opinion or make remark upon it. The Secretary said lie was not aware that "acre had bee:: any applications, nor had be heard any expression of opinion on the -ttibiicc.

The Chainn-m s:iid t!io first business to be proceeded with was the election of a President for t'.ie ensuing your. Mr. Headland propose:!, an:l Mr. 11. Aitk-n seconded, thut M:\ Steward should lil- r -;-lf c'•_■'{ to the ofiicc. 3lr. Steward siid lie was duly sensible of the ho-.jor sought to be conferred upon ? iin, but lie thought it would be f.-.r better if t;: : olli -e wi-r.: a rolling 0112. No doubt hi; iir.u would co:no again, but ;it tlie present he r.;sp:c'fully b-gged to decline. 3lr. Fleming s:ii I, .i2tinj upon the g_\sfcio!i of the Chairman, as to the ad visibility of the oflice being revolving, he had great picture in proposing Mr. Joseph I'crvth fr>r t':-j Mr. Booth had tilled other important olHces, such a.B the Scho -1 Committee, and he was quite sure he woul.l ably till the chair for the ensuing year. j

| Mr. Dunn seconded the election of Mr. "Booth. j Mr. Scott proposed Mr. H. Aitken, but *} that gentleman declined to stand. Mr. Hislop was then proposed by Mr. Scott, but that gentleman also declined. Mr. Booth being therefore the only candidate, was declared duly elected Presidmt for the coming year. Mi*. 15ofc'i th ink i I those present for having placed them in such an honorable position, and assured them that throughout his term of oflicj he would endeavor to fulfil its duties to '■ he best of his ability. The next business was the election of Vice-President, for which the following gentlemen were proposed : —Mr. Mainland, by Mr. Bain ; Mr. Headland, by Mr. His'op ; Mr. Lemon, by Mr. Scott ; but all those gentlemen declined to stand. Mr. Headland proposed the reelection of Mr. Shrimski, but that gentlemanpositively refused to act. Mr. Fleming proposal Mr. Clowes, but the Secretary stated t .at he had ivceived a letter from Mr. Clowes intimating that ho would 110' aet on the Committee if elected, and he therefore thought it was scarcely probable lie wo il I aciept o.Tice as VioPresidentMr. Rowland then propesjd, and Mr. Miinlaud seconded, Mr. T. H. Brown, who w.vs unanimously elected. For the o.Tice of Treasurer, Mr. Head land proposed, and Ml*. Rowland seconded, the ro-ol jefcion of Mr. Lemon, which was r.urried unanimously. Before the election for Secretary should c:>:no 0:1, M*. ShrLnski would Ilk} to mxke a few observations regarding the oißcelle thought, considering the statements contained in the annual report, that tinan. cial retrenchment w.13 necessary, and he would therefore move that the Secretary's s ihny be re due dto £2O. His reason for for urging a redaction was that during ::;e past year, yrLioh had been an ex" eepoicndiy heavy one on account of the Fev.-r Ward, thc-ve had been but nineteen 1.1 j.s, and lie certainly thought that r,,r nineteen meetings was more ;; i t ;e ins itnci:»:i could pay, more espeeiaiJy as lie belie" ed t.ie wor.c might oeellieiently done for £'2o. Mr. Fleming en-dorr el the views held by Mr. S..rimski, and eerUtinly thought rhat as the Sehool Committee got siiidia 1 ' work done for £ll, double that sum was to.) much to pay. It must also be remembered t lat as collector Mr. C lure 1 g >t his c- l:.mission of five p. r cent, upon £.IOO or £OOO. It d.d not matter who collected t:.e mone}' : it was handed to the Secretary, and he bis commission for merely tanking it. 11. certainly thought if they wished to make the institution pay, ti;e best eour.se was to commence by cutting down the sa'aries. Mr. Mainland urew attention to the that Mr. Church not only attended the meetings c>f Committee, but also provided the use of an e>fHce, gas, &c. He wouhl like to know if those gentlemen who were advocating a reduction were prepared to get some one to undertake the duties for the smaller sum. Mr. o'Meagher regretted having to oppose Mr. Shrimski, but while he gave him ;ill credit for a do are to have the funds of the institution expended with economy, he thought it would be very elisconraging to Mr. Church to commence by such retrenchment. 111 his opinion a good Secretary was the life and soul of the instil u - . lon. 1 Mr. Fleming wished to point out to Mr. O"Meagher t'.a 1- besides the £2O proposed to be given as Secretary, the Collector was also entitled to five per cent, upon every pound placed in the bank. The Chairman thought it was only fair to state that exactly the same arrangement had been in force when Mr. William Aitken had been collector. Mr. O'Meagher said that, as he understood it, the case was simply this : That, beside doing his own work, as formerly, Mr. Church had undertaken that of collector in addition, and was consequently doing the work of two men. Mr. Shrimski said that, as Mr. O'Meagher had not been in the room during the enrl : er portion of the discussion, he miidit inform him that there had been but nineteen meetings during the year, and even at £2O, that would be £1 per meeting. Mr. Sumpter wished to know the amount of money collected during the year, which, upon reference, was found to be £254 13s- 4d. Mr. O'Meagher said the duties'of Secertary were far heavier than people imagined. For instance, among other things, he had to out circulars. Mr. Sumpter pointed out that he had also to keep a set of books —books which had to be kept in a peculiar manner, as he, being one of the auditors, had an opportunity of knowing.

Mr. Headland said that Mr. Fleming had said that other bodies had got similar work dons for £l6, and although there had" been nineteen meetings during the past year, there was very little probability of their being more than twelve this year, and it was fair to argue that if £3O paid when there were nineteen, £2O should amply pay when there were but twelve meetings. Mr. H. Aitken said that the fact seemed to have been lost sight of that the Secretary had to keep tne books, whereas the Secretary of the School Committee did nothing of the kinel. Mr. Headland wished to ask, for information, if the keeping of the books was the duty of the Secretary or the Collector 1 The Chairman referred to, and read, the rule bearing upon the subject. Mr. Shrimski asked the Secretary how many life governors there were, and was answered twenty-six. The same gentleman then wished to know if they were in a book, and the Secretary replied in the affirmative, but that he liad not brought t'.ie book with him. Mr. G'Meagher saiel that, amongst other drawbacks attaching to the holding of the office, the Secretary had to throw on one siele, his own business, no matter how important, to make room for the monthly meetings. The amendment was then put whether the salary of the Secretary shoulel be in future £33, and was carried by eleven to three. Tiie question of salary having been thus settled, Mr. Headland moved, anel Scott seconded, that Mr. Church be reelecteel Secretary at a salary of £3O. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr. Sarimski proposed that Messrs. Sumpter and Aitken be elected auditors at iht; same remuneration as heretofore. Mr. Fleming proposed, and Mr. Hislop seconded, that tiie remuneration b9 10s. 6.L each. Mr. Scott moved an amendment that the s-.m be £1 Is. each, but the proposition was not seconded. Mr. M : Meagher proposed, and Mr. Dunn seconded, ti:at Messrs. Fleming anel Scott be electee! auditors, and that the fee bo 10s. 6d. each. Mr. Fleming saiel he certainly thought the sum of £6 6s. far more than the funds e>f the institution could spare, and if anv gentleman woulel volunteer with him, he was quite willing to elevote a few hours to t'.ie audit, without recompense. Mr. H. Aitken said, when he accepted the office of auditor, he knew nothing at all about their being a fee attached to it. It was something new to him ; but he might inform the meeting that it was his intention, when he received it, to hand it over to war els the funds of the institution. Mr. Sumpter said he woulel only be too happy to follow Mr. Aitken's example. Mr. Headland suggested that the office of auditors be honorary, but Mr. Fleming said, after Mr. Aitken's statement, it woulel be ungracious to make the office an honorary one. The next business was the election of a Medical Superintendent, but before proceeding thereto, the Chairman read a letter which he liael received from Dr. Smith of Otepopo, to the following effect : Ot?popo, Jan. 23, 1877. To the Chairman Hospital Subscribers' Sleeting, Oamaru. Dear Sir.—My attention has been directed to the report of the discussion which took place at the last meeting of your Committee, relative to the vacant Medical Superintendentship of the Oamaru Hospital. I am strongly of opinion that the duties of this important and responsible appointment should no longer remain in the hands of a single local practitioner. By dividing the duties of the office between two or more surgeons, and placing every member of the medical profession resident in Oamaru upon 3'our staff as an honorary medical officer, whose opinion may be consulted, or assistance called in, upon emergencies, you will, I think, secure a regular attendance upon, and the best available skill-in the treatment of the hospital patients. And further, you will create confidence in tie Hospital, its internal management, its advantages, and resources, in the minds of your subscribers, and in the opinion of the public generally, which I am sorry to say does not at present exist, at any rate not in this district. I"am anxious to see the Oamaru Hospital take up the position of usefulness which it should occupy. I trust that a new 'era is about to dawn upon it, and that ere long its power for good, and its reputation for skilful and successful treatment will be widely felt, and warmly acknowledged throughout North Otago. I can only urye as an excuse for this communication, the interest I naturally take in whatever concerns anel advances a hospital with which I have the honor to be connected, —I am, etc., Chakles S. Smith, L.R.C.S., Eclin., Hon. Med. Officer Oamaru Hospital. To the Chairman of Committee.

The Chairman explained to;the that Dr. \Yaifc/:the..-Medical tv Super^n t tendent, had resigned the duties short time since, and Dr.. Garland ha&Jp been temporarily appointed pending the meeting. He thought their fir3t duty would be to fix the salary, and having done that, they could then proceed to an election. The salary last year was £l5O. Mr. Shrimsfei said that, before proceeding with the question, he would like to make a few observations. At one of the Committee meetings he had thrown ,out a suggestion that the office of Surgeon Superintendent should be abolished, and that the institution should be thrown open to the medical profession. In. carrying out this view, he had gone so far as to speak to several of the doctors on the subject, and with the following effect:—Drs. De Lautour and Fleming agreed to act, but Dr. Garland, distinctly refused. The Chairman again pointed out it would be batter to fix the salary first. Mr. Headland proposed, and Mr. Hialop seconded, that the salary be the same as last year —£150. Mr. Fleming said that, on the principle that we had been this year exceeding our income, he would go in for » reduction, and move that the salary be £IOO per year. Mr Booth said it was nonsense to throw away £IDO per year when they had it that there were volunteers willing to do the work for nothing. Mr. Headland could not see how the plan could be got to work. There should be somebody in a responsible positionIt was all very well for Dr. Smith to state in his letter to state that the throwing; open of the institution would have th® effect of admitting the best medical talent; but it would also admit the worst. Mr. Shrimski said that would be easily guarded against. The honorary medical oiEeers could be ballottsd for, as they are in many other places. It was stated that Dr. De Lautour had objected, on a point of ettiquette, to act at the Hospital, on account of there being a paid officer in charge ; and it was asked.' how that gentleman, supposing lie were elected to the office of Surgeon Superintendent, could reconcile himself to acit\ with honorary medical officers. Mr. O'Meagher could see nothing ancr- ' malous in the supposition, and stated that Dr. De Lautour had been acting at the Hospital through kindness when his services were urgently required. Mr. Hislop would like to hear that delicate little point about etiquette explained. They had heard what Dr. De Lautour had said in the past, but they did not knownot what he would dointhefuture. He would like to know if Mr. Shrimski. were authorised to state that Dr. De: Lautour would accept the position of honorary medical officer. He had heard; that he would not ; but, of course, liis information was but second-hand, wherein that, of Mr. Shrimski came from the fountainhead. Mr. Shrimski was not in the habit of making false statements, if other people were. He again distinctly stated that he had seen Drs. De Lautour, Fleming* and Garland, and that the two. first said they were willing to act in Dr. Garland refused. Mr. Sumpter said that there should be some person responsible for the institution. It would not be fair to the patients, to have no person responsible for them. Mr. O'Meagher suggested to his learned: friend that the point of etiquette was! much the same as that between counsel,, when one had a 2,000-guinea brief, and another none at all (a voice : Shop). Mr. Hislop could not exactly see the simile, as he did not know that it was any breach of etiquette to receive a brief with nothing marked on it. The Chairman said he had lately read a most exhaustive report furnished by a Commission appointed by the New South Wales Government to inquire into the best manner of working hospitals, in which it was advised that there should be a house-surgeon, and then the institution should be thrown open to the profession. Mr. O'Meagher said that there would not be work for a house-surgeon, and that • consequently lis should be allowed private practice, to the neglect of his patients. We had scarcely come to that yet. In the scheme proposed there was the improbability of two medical men with equal responsibility coming together and working cordially. Mr. Headland then proposed, and Mr. Mainland seconded, " That Dr. Garland be appointed the Surgeon-Superintendent, at a salary of £l5O per year." Mr. Dunn proposed, and Mr. Booth seconded, the appointment of Dr. De Lautour. -

I&r. Bb!»f» oAuA if, m the event ni Dr. Jw laataw being elected, would he ac<Npt tbe office. Mfc'OTkreitgtier saitl, as « friend of Pi\ D» luntfotir,, he waff in a position t<> a»y lie would. Mr. Booth said that » wt unl F w ' ,rtM L)r - Dlft liatrtottr aceßpt the 001C5.V bur. h • had informed him that, were he appointed, Dp. Fleming mm willing to act with hint Oft honorary medical officer. He waft jknxrwd n*>w, and that made some ditfer--OKt in the acceptance or rejection, Messrs. Lemon and Christie having been appointed scrutineers, a ballot for the office was then taken, wlvn it waa found that £)r. Garland had received ten votes to seven received by Dr. De Lantotnr. Mr. Sampter wished to know how it was intended to asllt the medical gentteni@xt to become honorary medical attendants. The Chairman said the Committee might do so, but he thought it wordd be better if the present meeting would movo in the matter, as it would bo likely t<>< have greater force. Mr. Sumpter moved, and Mr. ileadfund seconded, "That Df. Smith bu requested ti> continue to act as honorary medical officer ; and that Di's. IX; Littiour and Fleming be also aslced It-* act in tuu same capacity." The meeting nest proceeded to the et.ction of the Cotumittse, which c-maistud »f ftvo country and eleven twn numbers. Mr. BhrLin:ikt stated that two of tlie country ni'jmSory, Mjsjrs. M.tin (;)Sepop >) and Krakour (Hampden), -wero t-jotf-ng the district. The Chairman said it would be necessary to. appoint gentlsmen in their places. On the suggestion of Mr. SUr.iuski r Messrs. Henderson and Drubtier- were elected. The other country members were re-sleeted »♦» vtz. T M?s;?r9. Sutherland (Oimarauvv), Vt\ Gardinor (Maorewhoniia), and P. AiSehutnt (Awamoko). A baito* was then taken, Co.* the town members, for which there w rj sixteen names. The voting, however. remitted in the election of the following : Messrs.. Mainland,. Headland, Steward, Taylor, Townsend, Dunn. Hedley. Morris, Flett, A. Paterson, arid M'lntoah. Jjlr.jlnonDter proposed, ami Mr. Hia:.,f That in the event of any elected refusing to act, those next on the list of votes be deemed duly elected instead. On the motion of Mr. t> Meagher, s'•conded by Mr. Shriawki, it wsw resolved, ** That a minute bo entered in the of the Hospital, testifying to the satisfaction of the subscriber* with the manner in which the tate Medical Superintendent discharged his duties during the term of his office, and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to I>r. "W si.it." Votes of thanks were then passed to the Auditors and Treasurer, the returning Committee, tlie Warder and Matron, and the Chairman, ami the proceedings terminated.