Poverty Bay Standard. Saturday, January 21, 1882.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1026, 21 January 1882, Page 2

Poverty Bay Standard. Saturday, January 21, 1882.

Captain Chrisp brought under the notice of the Board of Health, virtually the Borough Council, on Tuesday evening last, the necessity of providing accommodation at the Gisborne Hospital for persons suffering from infectious diseases. He showed the extreme urgency of funds beiug immediately furnished for placing in an habitable condition, the outbuilding that now does duty for a fever ward. There are at present two patients, and others are expected to arrive, who, from the nature of their disease, are compelled to occupy premises apart

from those of the other patients. The accommodation is insufficient, and the inconveniences that the sufferers have unavoidably to submit to, are great indeed. We all know that at no period is one more in need of proper attendance and comfort than when cast dou n by illness. The late oppressive weather has in itself been a heavy trial for those who are unfortunately, through sickness, compelled to lie prostrate upon a bed. But how much greater must the severity of the trial be to those who—like the two fever stricken patients at the Gisborne Hospital—are huddled into some wretched half-finished outbuilding—unlined, unceiled, and without scarcely an article of furniture. That this state of things should be speedily remedied is too palpable to call forth much comment. The startling announcement made by Captain Chrisp that an epidemic was raging in our midst, is of such a character as to make a person pause and reflect. It should be borne in mind that Captain Chrisp, from his position as a member of the Hospital Committe, actively engaged himself in the highest of Christian duties —relieving our fellow creatures in their sickness and distress—possesses unusual facilities for being well-informed upon the subject. The discussion that arose out of the application he made for monetary assistance on behalf of the Committee, brought to light the fact that the County Council has a responsibility in connection with the Hospital. What that duty is, we feel assured, only requires pointing out in order to be performed. The views expressed by the Borough Councillors, on Tuesday evening last upon this topic, we cordially endorse. It is unreasonable to suppose that an institution of such vast importance to the community as our Hospital should, for the burden of its support, depend upon the shoulders of the Borough Council alone. The Borough Council object to this, but not, as oue of the Councillors observed, that there was any desire upon the part of that body to shirk its duty. On the contrary, they are willing to contribute their quota to the funds, so long as the other local governing body does likewise. The County Council did, it is true, at the outset, furnish certain pecuniary assistance, but since that time, it would appear that the onus of maintaining the Hospital has devolved upon the Borough Council. It would appear that they are responsible for the whole amount of salary for the medical officer. The question, however, is not what this Council or the other Council contributed. An urgent need exists for the funds being immediately supplemented, in order to supply fever wards in the building detached from the Hospital. At any moment affairs may assume a position of the gravest import. The County Council is fully empowered by law to devote portions of its revenue to providing for the construction and maintenance of the Hospital. County Councillors need not demur to meeting in a generous spirit the urgent appeal that will, doubtless, be made to them. They can have no cause to murmur in expending a portion of the ratepayers’ money in so laudable a direction, because over three-fourths of the patients admitted into the Hospital are recruited from without the Borough precincts. Manifestly it is the duty cf the Council to assist in supporting such an institution. It is a matter of paramount importance that fever wards should with the least possible delay be prepared.