THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1875.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2110, 8 October 1875, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1875.

When reliable sources of income, auch as annual subscriptions, are manifestly in-ufficient to keep afloat any scheme which it is desirable to maintain, recourse must be had to some one of those spasmodic methods of obtaining funds which are frequently made trial of at the Thames, in the way of starting some excitement, which many will be glad to see and but few grudge the expense of seeing. This is precisely the case now with the Thames Hospital. Of the desirability of keeping that institution afloatthere, cau be no two opinions ; while we are met with the statement of Mr Kenshaw, the Treasurer, that the balance to the credit of the hospital is at present so

small that unless subscriptions to a large amount are handed in during tho present month it will be necessary to get an overdraft from tho bank to pay the ordinary expenses of the institn'ion. It needs not words to show that this expedient is if possible to be avoided. Banks are not yet sufficiently philanthropic to keep a staff of officers and branch establishments for the pleasure simply to act in real life the part of Antonio, whilome Merchant of Venice, and "lend out money gratis." Overdrafts, though alluring, are apt to be expensive, and borrowed money has to be accounted for. And yet something must be done, and that speedily, or the hospital authorities will be drivm to this alternative unless the hospital is to be ciosed' Men who give their time cannot be expected tc give t'neir money also, and the HospitSl Committee will, wo should think, decline to incur responsibilities for which tiiey may be left responsible. Mr Eowe, as chairman of the Genera* Committee, invites additional subscriptions, aad this of coarse is a step in the r:ght direction. But the committee are not only in need of additional subscriptions, or subscriptions to a lai'ge amount, as the treasurer puts it, but of immediate additional subscriptions —and these may or may not be forthcoming in response to Mr Howe's advertisement, and consequently the affairs of the Hospital must be in a state of uncertainty. A gentleman, evidently anxious to do all he can, offers, under the name of " Subscriber, 1' to give.two guineas over and above his subscription, if nineteen other gentlemen can be found who will each contribute half this amount. This generous offer on the part of " Subscriber " will, if takeu up, result in an immediate addition to the hospital of twenty-rne guineas, but this though a help is manifestly an insufficient otic. Something more is needed, and this something, if a plan proposed by Mr Bagnall be adopted, we do not think i; will be very hard to supply. The plan is certainly refreshing on the score of novelty, and on the same score is more likely to be successful. It is this. Mr Bagnall proposes that the members of-the various Friendly Societies at the Thames— ove? a thousand in number—should be asked to unite in taking part in a demonstration or alfresco fete for this purpose. Tararu or Parawai gardens are to be engaged for the occasion, and the public invited to give prizes for sports held in them. The whole plan seems so feasible, and withal so inexpensive that we wonder a committee was cot formed on, the spot to carry it into execution. Mr Bapnall stated that he had reason for knowing that the idea would be supported as far as the Friendly Societies were concerned, and Mr Mcllhone, who seconded his proposition, said that the matter had been talked over by the delegates of the various societies at a late meeting, and he believed would be carried. If this is so all ought to go on swimmingly. Friendly Societies are proverbial for the goodly muster they accord to any project they take in hand, and with these as the mainstay of the proposed demonstration, and tho hearty co-operation of the outside public— and all, we think, who could spare either time or money would gladly co-operate for the good of such a necessary institusion as the Thames Hospital—the affair ought to be a substantial success. We do not apprehend much difficulty on the score of prizes; even if these were not forthcoming by the generosity of private individuals, a committee ouee formed would, we think, have but scant trouble in collecting in small sums, the amount necessary 'to get prizes of sufficient value to induce men to compete for themPerhaps the Mayor and Councillors would give a Borough Cup to be run for—who knows ? Five pounds from the Council Exchequer would not be much, missed, and would very likely make the sports go off with eclat. Tlie prizes once obtained the only expenses would be advertising and the rent of the grounds, and these need not be very exorbitant. The sports themselves too might with very little trouble be made attractive, and besides the day's outing afford amusement to many. We hope the plan will be faken in hand, and as there is need of im mediate money the sooner immediate rction is taken the better for the Hospital. As the 9th November is generally observed as a whole or partial holiday, that day —the anniversary of the Prince of Wales' birthday, might be a very good day for the proposed demonstration, and as for the scene of the •demonstration, we have no doubt liberal arrangements could bo made with the proprietors of the gai'dens at Tararu or Parawai.