The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays ) SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1878.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 296, 16 February 1878, Page 2

The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays ) SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1878.

The Chairman of tho County Council lias convened meetings at Carlyle, Hawera, and Waverley, for Tuesday next, for tho purpose of taking steps for raising funds for the support of the Pater. Hospital. Correspondence published in last issue, will have enabled the public fairly to judge of the position of the hospital question. Until the County Council took charge there was very little in the shape of management, as regards the hospital, and very little indeed to manage, though, somehow or other, tolerably large bills wore run up every month. The accounts were formerly paid by the Taranaki Provincial Government, and, since the abolition of provinces, by the General Government, What was called the Patea Hospital, had not, up to the time the Council took charge, been officially recognized as such, and no mention lias yet been made of it in Statistics published by the General Government. An institution for the reception of sick and destitute persons became a necessity, and for covenicnce-sake, the make-shift establishment known in Patea as the hospital, was tolerated. Early last year, hospital matters claimed the attention of the County Council, and on accounts being presented to tho tune of between £3O and £-10 a month, enquiries wore instituted, which resulted in radical changes being made in the conduct of the establishment. The building and appliances, as then existing, were simply disgraceful to the County. Under the Patea Council, (though tho accommodation is still miserably inadequate, and quite unsuited for sick persons) bedding and necessary appliances were obtained, which were a vast improvement on the past, and affairs since the Council has had charge, have been well and economically managed. Much of the credit of the present state of affairs is due to the Clerk of the Council (Mr J. Black) to whoso supervision, the hospital has been entrusted. Prom the correspondence referred to, it will be seen that the Council only undertook to administer funds which it was clearly understood the General Government would provide. The attention of the Hqn J. Sheehan was called to this matter, by the de-

putation ou Wednesday last. Seeing the manner in which Patea County had been let in for the control of the hospital (as indeed would bo clear to all, after reading the correspondence) Mr Sheehan promised, if he found Major Atkinson viewed the arrangement in the same way as the County Council, to “ recommend Government to find money to go on with. He stated clearly that the Council need not expect the help now given, to be continued. It is not only in Patea County that the hospital question has cropped up, and in much the same way. All wide and thinly peopled districts, have difficulty in getting the public to subscribe liberally and with regularity towards hospitals, and are just now in trouble, on account of the proposed action of Government, of only subsiding to the amount of private subscriptions raised, The Wakalip Mail, in a few remarks ou this question says —“ The tendencies of the large centres is in favor of throwing the whole cost of hospitals upon the consolidated fund, which virtually means a poor rate tax in some form or another. The wealthy and richly endowed Municipalities wish to shift the burden from their own shoulders upon that of the general tax-pnyer. By this course, Dunedin, Christchurch,

Auckland, Wellington, and ether largo seaport town municipalities would gain immensely, so far as regards relief from payments in aid, but it would lead to the shutting up of the inland institutions,

such as ours fWakatipu] because the support of them, even now, is felt to be costly and burdensome by many.” If subsidy to private subsciptiou only, is insisted upon, it is almost certain the Patea Hospital will be closed. Public feeling will bo tested on Tuesday next, and though we have faint hope, wo trust that the importance of the subject will he borne in mind, and that at any rate, the meetings will be well attended, so that the matter may be fairly considered. If Government should agree to a suggestion made by the deputation on Wednesday last, and allow subsidy in proportion to money voted by the County Council, in the same way as if raised by private subscriptions, then one great difficulty will have been removed, and. the question of maintenance will not at present be of so pressing importance. Supposing that reasonable suggestion is agreed to, and We believe it will he, then the whole present energies may be directed to providing funds for the erec-

lion of new hospital buildings. Bearing in mind that Government intend to support hospitals only to the extent of subscriptions raised, and that until the close of the financial year Patea will be treated in an exceptional maimer, then we think the offer made by the Hon the Native Minister of Government giving £1 for every £1 raised towards providing new hospital buildings, a fair one ; and wo hope that definite arrangements will be made on Tuesday next to raise funds for building purposes. The advantage of suitable buildings and proper appliances will be that worldng expenses ■will be proportionally less, and the chances for recovery of patients greater, and in much less time than would now bo possible. Patea hospital is now worked with great economy, yet expenses could be reduced if only the buildings were suitable for the purpose for which they are being used. At present they consist of two unlined weather boarded cottages some distance apart. The places are draughty and cannot be properly warmed or ventilated. Patients are subjected to all the variations of heat or cold, and suffer accordingly. It is of the first importance that commodious and suitable hospital buildings should bo erected, and be well provided with conveniences. Population is widely scattered, and in the out-districts continuous medical attendance is not easily procurable. In case of accident or ailment requiring the daily attendance of a doctor, it is necessary for the patient to bo taken either to Hawera or Carlyle. It is impossible at any expense to secure satisfactory accommodation for the sick either at public or private bouses, with the attendance of a professional nurse. People in many cases are both able and willing to pay both for doctor and for accommodation and nursing, A building could be erected with accommodation for all classes of patients, and could be made partly selfsupporting, How to raise funds for building purposes is the problem to bo solved —the necessity must be apparent to all. We trust residents in every part of the County will resolve each to do Ids or her fair share, and if anything like a substantial sum is raised, the Government can with good grace bo asked to double or treble the amount raised, and to do something in the shape of land endowment.

The Hon J. Sheehan (Native Minister) paid his long expected visit to this Comity at the beginning of the week. His stay was very short, and as regards the time of his arrival at Carlyle, unexpected, through error in telegrams. He was expected on Wednesday night, but was here on Tuesday night. Although the hon gentleman was extremely anxious to be in Wellington by Friday morning, and therefore having no time to lose, he showed himself accommodating and anxious to listen to representations which residents or deputations might desire to make, and therefore delayed starting for Wanganui until eleven o’clock on Wednesday morning. In his interview with the County Council deputation, Mr Sheehan showed himself business-like and far seeing, and with a disposition to deal fairly. He appears to have created a favorable impression on all with whom became in contact. He readily comprehended the bearings of any matter laid before him, and promised 'fairly. Tho unmistakable plainness of bis remarks as to the inteu-

tions of Government in regard to the Waimate Plains will give unbounded satisfaction, and the thorough confidence he expressed in the Civil Commissioner (Major Brown) will go a long way towards restoring the confidence of settlers as to the bona fide intentions of the Government to proceed on the lines hitherto worked on. If the Civil Commissioner is backed up as the Native Minister said he would be, it will soon be seen if Major Brown is the right man in the right place, as we, and the majority of Patea settlers, believe he is. So far as talking and promising goes the present Government may be backed to any extent. As well as being a good talker Mr Sheehan appears to be practical. We trust that good will result from the late visit, and that he will prove something more than a mere promisor. It will be seen Jjfrom telegram following report of bis interview with the deputation that prompt steps have been taken to facilitate the calling of tenders for the Mountain Bead. • There is now a prospect of serviceable work being done before winter sets in. Mr Sheehan expects again to be in Patea in the course of a month. The matter of a local land office may then be brought prominently under his notice, and in view of the possible peopling of the Waimate Plains, there could be very little objection —in fact it would be profitable to Government —to accede to the request. This is the first time Mr Sheehan has ever paid to this part of the colony.

The Wanganui Regatta attracted a large number of visitors from Wellington, Nelson, and other places. The weather was everything that could be desired, and the interest in the various events intense. Patea contributed its share of visitors, and some have already returned highly satisfied with the holiday. Mr Thomson, the Marine Engineer _ engaged by the Patea Harbor Board, arrived at Carlyle on Wednesday last.

Attention is called to notice convening meetings re hosjfital for Tuesday next. On fourth page will be found reprint from Taranaki Herald of portion of Hon Mr Sheehan’s banquet speech, Monday’s Court proceedings at ITawera, and other items.

Another day has been appointed for election of members of Patea Harbour Board for the Wavcrley Hiding. From advertisement in another column it will bo seen that Mr William Courtney, of New Plymouth, will hold his opening cattle sale at Inglewood on Tuesday next. With road in good order is within easy reach of the northern portion of Patea County. Mr Courtney has lately extended operations in various directions, and it evidently determined to show the old fogies of Taranaki how to move ahead. Telegram has been received by tbe Chairman of Harbor Board that particulars of Otoia-Opaku harbor reserves to bo sold will be advertised in next issue. At the 11.M. Court, Carlyle, on Wednesday (before C. A. Wray, Esq., R.M.,) J. Gibson sued H. H. Dyer for £4l 17s 7cl, amount due on promissory note. Judgment for plaintiff for amount and costs —J. Gibson v. G. F. Sherwood—Claim, £4 15s Id. Judgment confessed—costs 7s. On Thurday, Sergeant Whelan summoned D. Smith, for a breach of the Impounding Ordinance, in allowing two bead of cattle to wander. Fined 2s 6d a head, and costs Gs 6d. We have the best possible authority for stating that the late member, W. Wilson, Esq., of Whennakura, will be nominated as a candidate for tbe Harbor Board, for the Wavcrley Biding. About 6 a.m. last Wednesday morning, Mr A. Drake, of Whennakura was on the Wavcrley Racecourse, riding with others, when he received a kick from one of the horses, which caused a compound fracture of the right knee-cap. Dr Wavren attended the sufferer at Mr Newland’s, after which he was removed to his own residence. The accident is of a serious nature, and MiDrake will have to lay up for some time. A meeting of all persons interested in the formation of a Brass Band, is convened for this evening at the Albion Hotel, at half past seven o’clock. Mr tV. Dale will hold sale of furniture, &c., at his mart, to-day at two o’clock. The Hon W. B. Rhodes, M.L.C., died at Wellington on the 11th instant, aged 70 years. The deceased gentleman was a large property owner in this district. We learn from the Grey River Argus that on account of Government refusing to subsidise hospital at the same rate as was formerly done under the Provincial system, the treasurer will be unable to meet current liabilities, and the committee of management has resolved to resign at the end of the present month.