CORRESPONDENCE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume I, Issue 15, 30 May 1868, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

Ni re John Elliot, who died intestate. The Secretary read a copy of the letter which, according to instructions, he had forwarded to Mr. Strode, Curator of Intestate Estates, and had received the following reply'from that gentleman :—: — Dunedin, 9th May, 1868. Sir, -Keferring to your letter of the 2nd instant, upon the subject of the estate of John i Elliott, I have the honor to intimate that I do not think it possible for the Hospital authorities to legally administer, but I have referred your letter to the police, authorities, requesting that an estimated value of the water race, and the horse may be given to me with a view to my administering the estate. When such is ] done there will be little difficulty in recovering your claim should the assets be sufficient to meet it. This is, of course, presuming the deceased had no further outstanding debts. — I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant, A. Chetham Stkode, Curator of Intestate Estates. H, 0. Richards, Esq., Secretary Tuapeka Goldf«lda Hwpittl, LAwwnt*, . ,_ _

Dr. Stewart stated that he had received a letter from Mr. Cable, of Waipori, with reference to the same matter. (The letter was handed to the Secretary and read. Mr. Cable had called upon Mr. Strode, who suggested that Mr. Lomas should administer to Elliot's estate. Mr. Lomas, however", declined doing so, but would be glad if some one were appointed to' take the matter in hand.) , Mr. Brown -was of opinion that the Committee could not do more in the matter than they had done, and he thought it could be done through the police. Dr. Stewart was afraid if the case went into that Court, it would never be got out again. Mr. Potts thought that if deceased had no other creditor than the Hospital it would be all right to let the police take the matter in hand. A conversation arose as to -what should be done with the money if it were realized. Mr. Brown understood the deceased had a -widow and family in Victoria, so he would suggest that the amount be handed over to them. Mr. Potts wished to know if they had any authority in stating that the deceaied had a widow and family. Mr. M'Nickle and another member of Committee had heard so on good authority. Mr. Smith believed the case was now in the hands of the police, as Sergeant Smith, of Wetherstones, had called upon him to make enquiry as to the residence of several persons connected with the affair. It was therefore agreed to let the matter take its course. NEW WARD. The next business brought forward was with reference to the ward for lunatics, &c. The Secretary read a copy of the letters he had forwarded to the goldfieldi members, and the replies he had received from each of them. Mr. Brown stated that £300 had been placed upon the Estimates for an additional ward to the hospital. The late Government had no intention of giving more than 2 to 1 to 31st of March last. He might, however, state that a large proportion of the Council were in their favor, and he had reason to hope that three to one would be continued. Mr. Potts wished to know the reason why the three to one was withdrawn from the Tuapeka Hospital, and continued to the others. Mr. Brown's reply was becaiise the Government could not give more than ir as voted. They could not give three to one because it would entitle the Hospital to receive about say £120 more than was on the Estimates. The reason why the other Hospitals had three to one continued was because there was a sufficient sum left of what was voted to enable them to receive the amount. Mr. Potta could not see that to be a sufficient reason for the withdrawal of the three to one. To make the matter clearer Mr. Brown stated that the sum voted for the Wakatip Hospital was £1,200 ; for the Dunstan, £1,500 ; for the Tuapeka, £2,300. The Government could not give three to one, because the amount was not vpted — the amount voted last year for Tuapeka had been exhausted, whereas the others had not. Mr. Hay stated that he waited upon Mr. Yogel, and asked him why three to one was given to the Wakattp and only two to one to Tuapeka, and the reply he received was, whatever more you get, must be got through the Council. Mr. Potts thought they had as much right to the three to one as the Wakatip had, and it seemed that because the Tuapeka district subtcribed well, they were to have less assistance instead of more. There was a benefit to be given for the Hospital at the Teviot on the 19th of June, and if he thought the Government; were going to withdraw the three to one becau»e they were collecting more than other places, he would certainly withdraw his subscription, and would not encourage these entertainments on behalf of the Hospital. Mr. Smith thought the people in the district were too liberal — if a man puts down £1, the Government ought to put down £3. The following letter from Mr. Shepherd, M.P.C., was then read :—: — Provincial Council, Danedin, 6th May, 1868. H. C. Richards, Esq., Secretary Tuapeka Goldfields Hospital. Dear Sir,— l have to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 2nd May last. In compliance ■with your request I brought the matter referred to by you "Before the Council," by asking the Government if they intended to place a sum on the Estimates for the pulses indicated by you. I obtained a very unsatisfactory answer. I therefore gave notice that I would move that a sum be placed on the Estimates for the purpose before-mentioned. I adopted this course as I believe I can carry it in the Council, and I have no confidence in the vague and shuffling replies of the Treasurer, Yogel. Please to inform me what sum will be required by return |of post. — I remain, your's truthfully, i Thomas L. Shepherd. The Secretary read a reply to the same which he had sent thanking Mr. Shepherd on behalf of the Committee. Mr. Potts moved, " That the letter be not received." Mr. Smith seconded the motion, on the ground that there was malice in b. Mr. Herbert thought that if a mistake had been made by the Secretary in replying to the letter in the form in which he had, the Committee should let it pass. Mr. Potts therefore withdrew his motion. REPAIRS IN FEMALES' WARD. Mr. Potts had visited the Hospital several times during the month. He had looked after the potatoes, but had not inspected the females' ward. This matter was left over. Mr. Herbert asked if the Government had been consulted as to the ward. The chairman said the Government had been consulted, Mr. Hughes ' had shown him a plan for the proposed addition to the building. INSURANCE OF THE HOSPITAI. The Secretary read a reply from the Provincial Secretary to his letter forwwrded l*»t month, Tht Provincial

Secretary suggested that the local Committee deal with the case in usual manner. Letter received. VISITING COMMITTEE. Mr. Arthur Henderson was elected in room of the retiring member. DECEASED THOMAS MACKENZIE. Mr. Smith stated that a person in Wetherstones had asked him to inform the Committee that he had some property which belonged to the deceased a tent, blankets, &c., <fee., and he wished to know how to dispose of them, whether they should be sold, and the amount handed over to the Hospital, or "whether the effects should be handed over to the police. The question arose as to whether the Hospital held the right to appropriate deceased's effects to pay any amount due by him to the Hospital. Dr. Stewart stated that Mr. Chapman some years ago informed him the Hospital was quite entitled to deal in this manner with any sum less than £50. Mr. Henderson moved, and Mr. Hayes seconded, " That the instructions given by Mackenzie as to the disposal of his I effects, be adhered to." Carried. It appeared that some medals and a highland dress Mackenzie desired to be sent home to his mother in Scotland. NOTICES OF FUNERALS. Mr. Potts thought it would be well if notices were posted up when any death took place in the Hospital, also announcing the time of funeral, so that the friends may have an opportunity of attending the funeral. Mr. Henderson, in referring to the case of Mackenzie, did not think the undertaker had time to post notices. Mr. Smith said that some diggers were dissatisfied by the haste with which Mackenzie had been buried ; Mackenzie was much respected in Wetherstones. .Dr. Stewart stated that the usual time was allowed ; Mackenzie died on Saturday, and was buried on Monday. Several people visited the Hospital on Siinday, and might easily have ascertained when he would be buried. Proposed by Mr. Potts, and seconded, " That the undertaker get blank forms printed, and see that they are properly posted up, intimating when any funeral is to take place," This concluded the business of the Committee.