The Patea Mail Published Wednesdays and Saturdays SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 1876.

Patea Mail, Volume I, Issue 94, 4 March 1876, Page 2

The Patea Mail Published Wednesdays and Saturdays SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 1876.

A short time ago we drew attention to the necessity there was for some increased provision being made for the destitute sick in this district, and had hoped that the case, illustrative of this need, would have attracted sufficient attention to have stirred the public to action. Such has not been the result, however, and on the chance of a second appeal being more successful, wc again bring the subject forward. At present, from New Plymouth on the one hand, to Wanganui on the other, a distance of about, as the road runs now, 130 miles, then; is not a shelter where n poor sick or injured man can lay Ids head, or where, without means, he can obtain, as a right, the attendance and care that humanity dictates. Though there is this absence of proper provision, there is a comparatively large population in these districts—one also that is daily being augmented. As a matter of course, distress of the bitterest kind frequently arises, though, in many cases, it is only known to the medical men whose services are on such occasions invoked, and to their credit be it said, never refused. At the same time, it is not right that because their profession brings them in contact with the poor and afflicted they should hear the burden that should pertain to the whole community, in die persons of its Government. Neither is it fating that, on every occasion of serious or disabling accident, private aid should he necessarily had recourse to. and that the proper duty of the authorities should be shifted to private shoulders. Were there a hospital here or accessible, a great deal, if not the whole of this would he obviated. At present the distance to an institution of the kind is almost prohibitive to sufferers needing its charitable shelter. It is true that a small sum, in the shape of charitable aid, has been annually voted by the Taranaki Provincial Council, and also that this has been spun out to its greatest limits, but it has proved utterly insufficient for recent growing requirements, and the timohascertainly arrived when it is absolutely indispensable—if humanity haa any influence at all—for the establishment of a properly-organised ami recognised hospital in this district. Under the head of “ Destitute Sick and Charitable Aid,” the Provincial executive have this year recommended, on the Estimates submitted to the General Government, the sum of £IOO for the Patea district, a sum so painfully and ludicrously out of all proportion that we wonder it could ever have been suggested. That would afford the munificent sum of something less than £2 per week for all the poor, sick, injured, or destitute throughout a a large district. We cannot help thinking the Executive should have boon very well ashamed of themselves for such a recommendation. The money voted would hardly suffice for one sick and destitute person weekly, and that, with the very largely increasing population, this is all that can be expected, is out of all reason. In many cases medical men have to travel distances of twenty miles or more to see destitute sick or injured persons, and even allowing that their charges are based on the most microscopic scale, it may he readily seen that a hundred pounds, extended over twelvemonths, will but very indifferently satisfy actual cost out of pocket in travelling expenses, to say nothing of medicine, &c., needed. Were there a hospital, the patient could he brought to it, properly cared for, and the cost would be a comparative trifle. We a re fully convinced that the medical men of the district would give their gratuitous services under such circumstances, for, though tin'v would be making a present of their skill, they would not be called on to give more than that and their time, and would not be asked to pay money out of pocket as well. The singular part of the matter is that there is really no obstacle whatever to the establishment of a hospital, neither need the Government be put to a pound expense in connection with it. As we remarked on bringing the subject forward, sonic little time age, there are useless vacant buildings, in connection with the Immigration department, that could at little or no outlay be utilised for the purpose, whilst the medical attendance may bo said to be provided for, and all the expenditure needed would be the wages of a wardsman or dispi nser. Nothing grand or vast is looked "or or wanted at present, but a refuge for the

sick and distressed, one that they can look to with confidence, in case of necessity, is required and should he afforded. We very greatly mistake the character of the population, it they would not liberally subscribe to provide such necessary funds fis the Government would not furnish, so as to maintain a hospital properly. As a matter of course, we presume, that the Provincial anthorties would place the institution on tin'same terms as elsewhere, viz. allow it to he managed hv a committee, chosen from and hv subscribers, with a Government officer siltimr as ex ofllcio chairman. In such a case representative*; of all the surrounding townships within the Province woul i he permitted, and the warmest enthusiasm in so good a cause readily aroused. Much more could be said, but surely it is not needed, ft is one that must commend itself to every one who sympathises with sorrow or distress, one that knocks at the heart of every one possessed of such an organ, one wo do not think wc shall have again occasion to plead for. before it is an accomplished fact, when wc shall only have to congratulate the philanthropic founders, who set the willing hall in motion to roll to its merciful destination. Surely the clergy might unite in this; if they do, their flocks will soon follow so good an example, and a Pa tea District Hospital speedily become a realised institution.