THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1875.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2135, 6 November 1875, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1875.

In a letter published in our columns yesterday signed by "Inquirer" a matter of some moment was brought before the notice of the public. It is well known that the Thames Hospital is badly in need of funds, and every effort is being made by the Committee, assisted by the public, to place its affairs on a more satisfactory footing in a pecuniary point of view. Several expedients have been tried, and succeeded as accessories to the desired object, but that in which the Committee placed the greatest faith, and indulged in i the greatest hopes of reaping a really substantial benefit for the Hospital, was the scheme undertaken by the Friendly Societies through their delegates to organize on a large scale a grand demonstration of these societies jointly, the whole proceeds (so we understood) after deducting expenses to be placed to the credit of the Hospital. This demonstration has been fixed to take place at Parawai on December 27th, and it was announced that the lessees of the gardens had " generously " placed the gardens at the disposal of the demonstration committee free of charge. It was tothis word "generously" that "Inquirer" took exception, and certainly not without reason if the answer he himself supplies in our issue of to-day, and the letter of " Another Inquirer," which also appears, be correct in their statements. We are very glad they have appeared, as they point to a sfcafce of things which if they exist certainly require to be remedied while happily there is yet time to do so. The facts as far as we can learn are these: the demonstration committee have arranged with the lessees of Parawai Gardens to use their grounds free of charge, but the lessees are to have the right of letting booths for retailing refreshments, &c, from which no inconsiderable portion—even if it be not the major- one—of the money trill be derived, and furthermore, are to receive £5 should the demonstration be a success. Now, it must be evident that this arrangement is a most unsatisfactory one to the well-wishers of the hospital, which name may almost be made to include every dweller at the Thames, for if it be adhered to, what ought to be a real and great help will dwindle down to an amount not greater than that handed over as the result of a benefit got up by one of the Dramatic Clubs at the Thames, where no trouble is taken by anyone except v the actors themselves, and a few of their friends. Look at the probable result ofthe present arrangements—supposing of course those which we have stated are the arrangements, as we arc informed they are. If the price for admission be the usu«V sixpence, and even two thousand people go, the amount received will be but £50, yet still with two thousand people present the demonstration must be designated a success, and so £o must be given to the h .>sees of the ground. This leaves the committee but £45, out of which expenses for printing, idverlising,

money collectors, and numerous little incidental expenses must be deducted, leaving an amount of between thirty and forty pounds to bo handed over to hospital, or ,nas we said a sum' much the same as the proceeds of a con- { cert, or play, which involve not a tithe of' the work except to a few. It is obvious that if this is to be the result it will be in a monetary way a comparative failure ; nor will it be so very much better if the price of admission be raised to one shilling. If this were the case it .would not be safe to estimate the number at over 1200, and this would leave but £60 to be dealt with, open to the same expenses as wo have just referred to. What is required is that the whole proceeds of the gardens should be in the hands of the committee whether they be the result of gate money or booths. We do not mean to say that the lessees of Parawai gardens ought to rent the gardens, and lend them gratis for such purposes as this. We might just as well «ay that it is the duty of these lessees to subscribe £10 or so out of their own j pockets while the public rest content with a shilling subscription. But what we would suggest is that the lessees make over the entire gardens (except the fruit and flowers) for that day to the demonstration committee for as small a consideration as they can afford. The committee would' we think be wise to adopt this course and make an offer of such sum of money as may to them seem fair and reasonable. If arrangements cannot be made to hold the demonstration at Parawai, why should not the offer of the proprietor of Tararu gardens be accepted ? It is, if we are informed rightly, liberal' enough to satisfy all, being to give up the gate money, booths, &c, with the exception of retaining the right to sell strawberries in one of the permanent structures — an. exception which ought to benefit both demonstration and proprietor - and in addition to this we hear the Tramway Company will give £10 if the sports be held at Tararu. We do not write this in the interest of Tararu more than of Parawai, but simply because we deem it of paramount importance, if the benefit is to be what it ought to be, that the entire arrangements and proceeds should be in the Committee's hands. As they (the Committee) hare decided on Parawai, by all means let Parawai be the place as long as. the interests of the objects in view are not allowed to suffer. # If they do suffer we say decidedly change the place to some other spot. That they will suffer if the present arangements are suffered to exist is, we think, certain, therefore the arrangements ought to be immediately altered, or the Parawai Gardens abandoned and Tararu fixed on.