CORRESPONDENCE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 116, 28 April 1870, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE.

A letter from the Secretary of the Dunstan Hospital Committee, inviting the co-operation of the Tuapeka Committee to agitate for an increase of subsidy from 2 to 1 to 3 to 1, on the ground that the 2 to 1 subsidy was insufficient to cover the expense of the of working the Goldfields Hospitals, was read. Mr. Abel proposed that the letter be received. Seconded by Mr. Harrop, and carried. An animated discussion on th.9 subject ensued. In reply to a question by Dr. Halley as to whether the 2 to 1 subsidy was sufficient for the working of the Hospital, The Treasurer stated that it might be sufficient to the end of the present year, but no longer. A considerable balance stood in favour of the Hospital at .the commencement of the year. There was now between £600 and £700, including subsidy and balance in bank. Mr. Simpson contended that the fact of a large balance being brought forward every year, showed that the 3 to 1 subsidy was too much. Mr. Harroj) said that was Mr. Vogel's plea for reducing the subsidy to 2 to 1. Mr. Simpson thought it was well to encourage voluntary subscription, and he thought more strenuous exertions could be used if necessarry. Mr. Herbert said it was well known there was an increasing difficulty every year in obtaining subscriptions to tlie Hospital ; and viewing things as they really are, the Committee would only be doing right in co-operating with the Dunstan Committee. Mr. Harrop thought if they found themselves short, a special grant would meet the necessities of the case. Mr. Simpson drew attention to the possibility that the management of the Dunstan Hospital might not be so economically conducted as the Tuapeka one ; j and referred to a statement of contrast between the working expenses of the two hospitals which appeared in the Tuapeka Times, which was very favourable to the Tuapeka Hospital. He believed an institution of the description should be supported by the people, as they were likely to value it all the more. The Dunedin Hospital was becoming a purely Government institution. He would move that the secretary be instructed to write to the Dunstan Committee to the effect that they had not sufficient experience of how the 2 to 1 subsidy might work ; but if they found it insufficient, they would gladly co-operate with their committee. There would not have been any difficulty in cany ing this motion, but it was thought better to call a special meeting of the Committee for Tuesday next, to discuss the matter more fully.

VISITING COMMITTEE.

The Visiting Committee's Report was then read They were quite satisfied with the affairs of the institution during the month. They recommended the employment of a man for a few days to dry the potatoes. The Resident Surgeon had also informed them that new blankets were very much required — the present ones had been in use over eight years, and with frequent wasliing had become pretty well worn out. It was theu moved by Mr Harrop, and seconded by Mr. M'Nickle, "That the Secretary advertise for tenders for fifteen pair of blankets, and that the Visiting Committee be empowered to deal with the teuders. " — Carried. RESIDENT SURGEON'S REPORT. The Resident Surgeon's Report for the month was laid on the table, from which it appeared there had been fourteen patients admitted into the Hospital during the month. ADDITION XO SURGEON'S RESIDENCE. Mr. Simpson said he had been requested by Mr. Keen, who was indisposed, to move the motion which stood in his name with regard to additional accommodation being made to the Surgeon's residence. It was generally admitted that the present accommodation was too limited for the Surgeon's increasing family, and that the addition of a bedroom at the back and adjoining the present house would meet the requirements — that was all the Dr. wished. The Committee considered whether it would not be better to add another wing to the building, but the question of expense inclined the majority of those present to the smaller expenditure required by the addition of a bedroom. It was ultimately moved by Mr. Harrop, and seconded by ' Mr. M'Nickle, "That the Bu.lding- Committee be empowered to get plans and specifications of the required room, and subfhit them at the special meeting next Thursday evening." — Carried. VISITING COMMITTEE. Mr. Simpson was appointed on the Visiting Committee, in room of Mr. Pressly, retired. SUBSCRIPTION LISTS. The President and Treasurer were instructed to furnish the Secretary with the names of those gentlemen to whom subscription lists should be forwarded for the collection of the current year's subscriptions. - GARDEN IMPROVEMENTS. Mr. Farrer drew the attention of the Committee to the fact that many of the trees which had been planted in front of the Hospital were dead, and others dying away. He would suggest a sub-committee be appointed to attend to the grounds. Messrs. Farrer, Pressly, and Dr. Halley were appointed a committee to make what alterations they thought necessary .in the laying out of the grounds, the planting of shrubs, &c. The meeting then adjourned.