TE AROHA COTTAGE HOSPITAL

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4395, 6 April 1909, Page 3

TE AROHA COTTAGE HOSPITAL

(To the Editor.) Sir, —In last Saturday’s issue of your paper, Captain Montgomery refers to what he deems the attitude of certain local ministers of religion regarding the’ subject of a Te Aroba Cottage Hospital. Referring to the fact that of local ministers only Rev. P. Cleary had spoken to him upon the subject, he asks : “ Are we to understand from the silence of the heads of denominations j that they do not care what becomes of our sick, or in what manner they are treated, or from their silence are* we to conclude that they are afraid to draw the wrath of the authorities on their heads, and We some of the crumbs which fall from the Government tables, etc. ?” In reply let me state that neither indifference.to the bodily suffering of others, nor fear of Government authorities is the cause of my hitherto public silence on the subject. Though perhaps differing somewhat from Captain Montgomery upon the question of a minister’s duties,-especially in an extensive country charge, l am prepared to admit that my silence may have been to some extent culpable. Be that as it may, there are those in Te Aroba and the surrounding district to whom I have privately . stated the opinion that with the possible exception of a new post office, no institution was so urgently needed as some sort of a hospital. During nly fifteen months’ residence in Te Aroha, the Presbyterian, portion of the community alone, has furnished no fewer than nine hospital cases. Several of these cases wc-re serious ; two proved fatal. Should Captain Montgomery, or any other person, take steps to bring about the establishment of a Te A rob a Hospital, he may count on my full sympathy and active hit port. Upon this matter ■ I write entirely for myself. The ministers of the local- Methodist and Roman Catholic bodies are able to state their own views. Though not quite in agreement with Captain Montgomery’s way of stating his views, I think that the thanks of the community are due to him for bringing under public notice so important a matter.—l am, etc , Wji. C. Blair.