HARBOUR BOARD ELECTION.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 295, 13 February 1878, Page 2

HARBOUR BOARD ELECTION.

{To the Editor of the Patea .Mail.) Sir, —Will you be good enough to publish the enclosed letter. You will probably remember that Mr Dale—in your presence —rendered to mo an ample apology, and [ told him that ho having made a public accusation must publicly rctraci. lie piomised to do so, and to publish ft in the Patea Mail. I should bo glad to have your opinionupon the matter, as to whether yon consider the apology contained in the letter is of the same nature as the apology tendered by Mr Dale to mo in your presence. Mr Dale states that I said “ I would adopt every means to prevent the election.” This is incorrect. What I did say was “ that I would adopt every constutional means, &c.” By adopting every means I might have to include some of Mr Dale’s peculiar tactics —which are known to be very peculiar.—l am, &c., G. F. SHERWOOD.

(Enclosure ) Carlyle, 9th February, 1878. To the Chairman of Mr Sherwood’s meeting at Mnmitabi. Sin, —Last evening at a meeting of ratepayers held at Kakoramea, I stated during the time that I was addressing the meeting that Mr Sherwood,had proposed a certain resolution in the County Council, (which Mr Sherwood denied having done). I repeated the statement believing I was quite right, but this morning I find that it was another member of the Council: therefore having found that I made a mistake I apologized to Mr Sherwood, and told him that having made a public statement I I should take the opportunity of the meeting tins evening to'publicly withdraw the statement. The error must have occurred in the following manner. Mr Sherwood was the only member of the Council who spoke against the election of the Harbour Board member. He stated that ho would adopt every means he could to prevent the election taking place that evening, and he did adopt measures to prevent the election taking place. lam quite certain that the gentleman whose name appears as the proposer of the resolution did not suggest the course of action proposed by the resolution, but from information I have since obtained I believe it was Mr Davidson who suggested it. . . . Having made a mistake, I consider it is my duty to acknowledge my error.—l remain, &c., WC DALE. [Note. —If first portion of letter had alone been published, we should have considered it clear and sufficient. Connected as it is with an explanation, it is not. the kind of apology which we understood would be given. We do not feel called upon to give written opinion unless asked by both parties.— Ed. Mail.].

PATEA HOSPITAL. In Match last year the County Council, through the then Chairman, made arrange- 1 ments for taking over the Patea Hospital, on the express condition that Government would give assistance in the shape of money. On Major Atkinson visiting the district, the hospital question was brought under 1 1 is notice by Mr Sherwood as Chairman of the County Council. Explanation of the circumstances of the case led to Major Atkinson telling the County Cotliicil Chairman that Government would have to make arrangements for this and similar hospitals, as they could not he worked in the same way as hospitals in large towns or in more thickly peopled districts. Inquiry by Major Atkinson, as to what sum would bo required to carry on the hospital to 31st July-, Was followe'cl, on the information being supplied iii writing by the Clerk of County Council, by £l5O being forwarded from Government for hospital purposes. The understanding with the Council was that Government would find the money, and the Council would sec to its proper disbursement. It will be recollected that there was much need at the time the, arrangement was made for some authoritative supervision. Oa further accounts being forwarded to Government objection was made providing funds for hospital purposes. Correspondence was opened upon the subject by a letter dated 19th November, 1877, from Mr Sherwood to the Government, calling attention to letters and telegrams between himself, Major Atkinson and Uncler-Sefcretary, which resulted in the County Council taking charge of hospital, on the distinct understanding that Government would aid with money, and asking that as the amount previously granted had been expended and liabilities to the extent of £SO incurred, Government would grant further assistance to the extent of £2OO. The following letters speak for themselves : Colonial Secretary’s Office, Wellington, 28th November, 1877. Sin, —1 have the honour by direction of the Colonial Secretary to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 320 of the 19th instant, in which after referring to previous correspondence on the subject you ask that a sum of £2OO may he placed to the credit of the County fund" account to he expended in the support of the Carlyle Hospital. In reply I am to request you to he good enough to state What arrangement, if any, for the management of that institution Was made try- Major Atkinson on his visit to Carlyle ; also to supply information as to the inode in Which, and the funds from which the Hospital has heretofore been managed J , how medical attendance, has been supplied ; the number of patients admitted and discharged monthly ; the Strength of staff and rates o(; pay ; the expenditure in rations, medicines, medical comforts, &c. ; Under what supervision the hospital is carried on. and if under a committee, their names ; and generally any information that yon may think advisable to furnish to enable the Government to arrive at a definite opinion and decide upon a course of action' for the future,—-I am, &c., G. S. Cooper. Under-Secretary. G. F. Sherwood, Esq., Chairman Patea Comity Council. Countv Council Office, Carlyle, sth December, 1877. Sir, —I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, No. 329, (28th November) find in reply, have 1 he honor to inform you that Major Atkinson informed the late' Chairman when the amount granted for the use of the Hospital Was expended, a further sn’nfi would bo granted ; that the Government were considering the matter of assisting hospitals situated similar to this, and pending future legislation, assistance would bo continued.

With reference to the “ mode in which and the fluids from which the Hospital has heretofore been managed”—the funds were supplied, and the Hospital managed by tlio Late Provincial Government. “Medical attendance.” Under the present arrangement, a surgeon has been engaged at a salary of £SO per annum. “Patients.”—As per schedule attached.

“Staff.”—Surgeon, at £SO per annum ; ouo attendant at 7s per day, when required. It happens occasionally that the hospital is without a patient for a week nr so. On such occasions, the attendant is discharged, the County Clerk having charge. “ Expenditure.” The expenditure to 30th September, is £172 15s Bd. This includes liabilities incurred previous to the Council taking the management, also surgeon’s salary, attendant’s salary, medicines, medical comforts, rations-and fuel, aid to destitute sick, bedding, beds, furniture, &c. When the hospital was taken over, there was only 4 blankets, 1 table, and 1 bed handed ormr to the Council. “Supervision.”—The hospital is under the supervision of the Council, and all matters connected with the management, are determined by that body. The Council arc about framing bye-laws for its management, but have delayed so doing, pending legislation on the matter. Owing to the extent of County, over which the settlers arc scattered, when a destitute person has been sent to the hospital, it necessitates an additional expense in carriage. At present, each Councillor has power, either to send' the patient to Carlyle, or make local arrangements, whichever can be done most advantageously. The buildings used for the Hospital, were formerly immigration' cottages. The accommodation is inadequate for the purpose, and their being detached, makes it very inconvenient, especially when there are patients in each cottage as happens at times.—l have, &c.,J. Black. Clerk Patea County Council. G . S. Cooper, Esq., Under-Secretary,- Wellington. [Schedule of patients admitttd to hospital, from Ist January, to' 24th October, 1877, showed number to he 20, one of whom had died,- and two- of whom were still in.]

Colonial Secretary’s Office, Wellington,-14th December, 1877. Sir,—l am directed by the Colonial Secretary to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 337 of t-h’e sth instant, with reference to the support and management of the Hospital at Carlyle. In reply I am to inform you that the nde is to subsidise' such institutions in proportion to the voluntary contributions,

within reasonable limits, received by them, at the rate of £.l for each £l. If you will inform the Government how much the County Council of Patea have raised by subscriptions, your application will be considered. . This was the principle of the legislation alluded to by Major Atkinson in his bill which was dropped last session.—l have, &c., G. S. Cooper. J. Black, Esq., Clerk to Patea County Council. County Council Offices, Carlyle, 3rd January, 1877. Sin.—ln reply to your letter, No. 34G, I have the honor to inform you that the Patea County Council have no funds raised by subscription, for the support of the Hospital-, and that they onty consented to take charge of the same, upon the distinct understanding from the late minister, that funds would be supplied by the Government for its support. I therefore regret to have to inform you, that unless the Government make provision for the maintenance of the Hospital, the Council will be compelled to close it—this body not having means to keep it open. The Council feel very unwilling to make this statement, as they fully recognize the necessity df a hospital here, and therefore trust that Groveniment Aviil t>e to see tliexr 'way to giving the grant applied for, in support of this institution.—l have,- &c., Geo. S. Bridge, Chairman Patea County Council; G. S. Cooper, Esq., Under-Secretary, Wellington.

Colonial Secretary’s Office, Wellington, Bth January, 1878. Sir, — I have the honour by direction of the Colonial Secretaiy to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 343 of the 3rd instant in which you state that unless the Government make provision for the maintenance of the Patea Hospital the Omm 13Council will be compelled to close it for want of means to keep it open. In repl}' Colonel Whitmore directs me to sa3 r that the Government arc bound to keep within the limits of the funds placed at their disposal ly the liberality of Parliament. The late Premier,- to whom reference ism Klein 3*olll- letter,- introduced a bill based upon the principle of subsidy in aid,in proportion to voluntaiy subscriptions. This principle,- though the bill in which it was embodied did not become law, has been acted upon in distributing the funds voted,- so that all districts may receive a certain assistance. To make an exception would be to favour a locality undnl3 r .

The great centres of population are enabled'"by a larger grant to accommodate more patients, because many are thrown upon them from other localities. But there are no exceptions except these late Provincial Capitals, and not all of them are so assisted.

The Government would regret the closing of the local hospital at Carlyle, ami will strain a point to prevent such an occurrence until the system adopted eveiy where else is brought into force, or till a' reasonable time has elapsed for the purpose. Government will therefore pay the salary of the surgeon to the 130 th June next, and of the attendant when required ; and if a detailed account of the expenditure to the ;30th September amounting to C 172 15s 8d which is mentioned in your letter of the sth December is forwarded and is found satisfactory, the Government will also pay that so as to enable the County Council to start clear of previous liabilities. —I have, &c., G. 8. Coot'EU, G. S. Bridge, Esq., Chairman Pa tea County Council. County Council Office, Carlyle, 14th January 1878. Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, No. 135, of the Sth instant, and in reply, would ask you to be so good as to reconsider your decision, re hospital. I would call your attention to the fact, that it was with the distinct understanding from Major Atkinson, that Government would find funds for its maintenance, that caused the Council to undertake the control of the Hospital. He also applied to tire late Chairman for information, as to how much would be required to cany on to the Blst July, and on being informed of the amount, the money was at once paid. There is no doubt but that Major Atkinson saw the necessity of assistance and of the iinpossibilits r of raising funds by private subscription. I cannot see why the principle of a Bill that hasnot become law, shouldbe enforced, more especially as the late Premier acknowledged the impossibility of Counties situated as this, being able to maintain hospital without assistance from Government. The Council have imposed the maximum rate of la in the £. which, together with all other sources of revenue, is inadequate to maintain the road and bridges in a proper manneiv Under the' circumstances, I trust yon will reconsider the matter, otherwise, I regret to say, I see no other alternative but closing the establishment, —I have, &c., Geo. S. Bridge, Chairman Patea County Council. The lion. Colonial Secretary, Wellington.

Colonial Secretary’s Office, Wellington, 25th January, 1878. Sir, —I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, No. 358, of the 14th instant relative to the Patea Hospital. I am' directed to inform you in reply, that the Government would very much regret the closing of the Hospital, but as every other part of the Colony has gladly availed itself of the principle of grants in aid at the rate of one pound for every pound raised by subscription, they are unable to ace any reason why, because there, seems to he an indisposition to contribute towards the maintenance of the Hospital at Patea, any exception should be made in its favour. —I have, &c., G. S. Cooper. G. S. Bridge, Esq., Chairman Patea County Council.