CHRISTCHURCH.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2154, 14 February 1880, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH.

[rnosi our own correspondent.] A very pretty little bit of manoeuvring connected with Hospital matters has just come to light. From a recent controversy which took place in the newspapers it transpired that when the late medical statf were in charge the institution was a sealed book to the public. Not a single particle of information as to what was going on was ever allowed to get near the papers, and two cases were given as examples or what occurred in the dark which somewhat opened the people’s eyes. No medical man but those in the clique were allowed near the place, and, so far as the comfort of the patients was concerned, it became known that they were permitted to taste beef but once a year, and for nine or ten months not one had even seen a photograph of fresh vegetables, When the Hospital Board was formed many little things came to light which showed members that, in the interests of the public, the medical body required reorganising, and a slight intimation in this direction caused those autocratic fossilites to play high jinks, and stand on their dignity at being interfered with by the new iniquity—and bother the public. On the Board there are, however, a few men of proper grit, and they continued to interfere, with the result, that in the hope of landing affairs in a mess, the medical staff resigned in a body. But things turned out very different to what was anticipated, for the Board in quicksticks filled up the vacancies with callable men whoso diplomas do not date from the year one. Things have gone on smoothly now for some months, every case is known to the public and friends, and fresh beef and vegetables are not now luxuries at the institution. Attention is also paid that the food is properly cooked, and even a constant visitor can not now sec a joint of meat burnt outside and raw inside. From a rumour which has gained currency, it seems that the end of these innovations for the public good is approaching, for it is reported that when some members of the Government were recently in Christchurch, they were “got at” by the fossilites, who have, it is said, been promised that they shall be nominated on the Board, and, being in a majority, will then be able to work things back into the old groove. Should it come off, I hope I may be spared fora little while, as the hospital and the unfortunate patients have been my study for years, and a few quotations from my notes will be eye-opening and instructive to your many readers, and to all Cauterburv.

Mr Conyers lias gone, ami taken with liim a batch of ollleials. A second lot haves at tiie end of the month, and then the principal workmen in the shops will he gradually and quietly moved South. When the removal of the Commissioner was mooted during the Grey Government era, a perfect howl was raised at the last election, and one shareholdei in the then Opposition paper used to watch the Addington workshops daily, and if he Saw a Workman fiirK'iny one shop to another, ho used to come to town and shriek through his organ. Poor old man ! I think ho must he dead, for Ihavelookel and nearly sprained my eyes, but nary a word can I see from him in the way of protest. There are evidently others besides the Grey Government who recognise the power of advertising, for it is a fact that in some quarters a few advertisements judiciously distributed act as a powerfully soothing medicine.

It is well known that we have the good fortune to possess hero a sporting sergeant, in the coursing lice, for has it not appeared in print that during the last meeting in Hagley Park of the Canterbury Coursing Club, when a scared hare, having been chased by the dogs, swam the river and rushed into the police barracks enclosure, the ‘ old sport ’ in the chase that followed, possessing most “ foot,” was the first to lead up, and before puss turned he wrenched three times in the air with part of an old pair of tongs. There also dwells here a Corporation otlicial whose duty it is to prevent footpaths and fences being injured, watch cabbies, keep an eye on unregistered dogs, Ac., and between whom and ‘ old sport ’ a sort of bosom friendship has existed for ages, so to speak. Many a friendly hunt has each given the other, which has resulted iu prosecutions for the public good, though individual members of the community might have gone to the Court on these occasions, to do something else than bless them, and stayed to do ditto. Hot a great while ago the ‘old sport’ informed the olli-

cial, with, a knowing wink, that there was a good thing in the wind, for early that morning he had watched a certain horse and cart go over a footpath where there was no bridge, to take a short cut, and the driver thereof broke down the fence. An appointment was duly arranged for daybreak next morning. The friends met, the early carter was caught infringing the Bye-laws, a good case made out and the official’s bosom swelled with gratitude towards bis friend. During the time the friends were on the watch a young spaniel belonging to the old sport was playing round his feet —and here it should be motioned that of such true sporting proclivities is our sergeaut, that ho can course as well with a spaniel as he can with a greyhound —and was occasionally patted by the official. Breakfast time approached and vowing eternal friendship, each departed to his home. All that day the official, like the historical tinker with the glazier, was beating about in his own mind to think how he could repay the sergeant for his kindness, when, like a flash of lightening the thought suddenly struck him that possibly" the young spaniel which he had observed running about during the morning might not be registered, and an investigation proved that such was actually the case; so dropping a tear at the shrine of friendship, he went straightway and did his duty. “ For that on the blank day of blank, the said (old sport) named in the margin did have in his following one dog, to wit a spaniel, above the age of three months, unregistered for the current year, contrary to ”At this particular stage the future historian will, for obvious reasons, be painfully silent, for it has been whispered that to faithfully record the freedom of expression which came over that old sport during the first half hour after ho received the summons must have occasioned some overtime work. The case duly came on for hearing, a line of twenty shillings, and six and sixpence costs was imposed and old sport was tenderly advised, for the sake of example, to lose no time in investing ten shillings in a collar. There will shortly be submitted to the highest bidder a sporting kennel of one spaniel, and it is with regret I have to add that the “ two souls and one thought, two hearts that beat as one ” sort of feeling which once had an existence between two who shall be nameless, is now no more, and that in imitation of the poor old man in Dickens’ “ Christmas Carol,” the constant prayer of one at least—with an eye to the future—is, that the Lord will keep his memory green to the extent of £1 IGs Gd.

And now a few words descriptive of Pastor Cliiniquy. So far as his business and the object of his lectures are concerned, I express no opinion, for the simple reason that I have not troubled myself to form any. It is now some years since I determined to go to Heaven, my own virtuous tin-pot way, and to let others do the same. And first as to the Pastor’s appearance. He is rather short and thickset, clean shaved chin and face, but with a long irongrey beard descending from underneath his chin. The upper portion of his head is bald. Great determination is stamped in his mouth and somewhat square chin, and he seems a man, who, having made up his mind to do anything, would carry it out at all hazards. He commences to speak in a low tone, which seems imperccptably to swell,and the faculty he possesses of' throwing his voice without apparent effort to the end of a large hall, assures a close observer, that the old gentleman has studied elocution in all its branches. His French-English, beautifully, and I may add wonderfully spoken for a man who did not commence to study the language until he was forty years of age, possesses a very great charm for his listeners, made all the more impressive by the great the-atrical-like display which accompanies his delivery. To my mind Pastor Cliiniquy is a man who having listeners who approve of his subject would send them away very much impressed. Before the advent of the Pastor to Christchurch it was known, quietly, that extensive purchases had been made in the town of little instruments containing six chambers, and noticing events the other evening at the Oddfellows Hall, I observed that groups of determined looking men were stationed in different parts of that crowded building. A strong guard also accompanies the old gentleman wherever he goes, and although the authorities have stationed a constable immediately opposite his residence in Cambridge Terrace, there arc others guarding him also. Speaking from the dispassionate stand-point I occupy, I really do not think those precautions necessary, but if there arc others who know better and think they were, well, I have no desire to differ with them.