SWITZBES HOSPITAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 188, 14 September 1871, Page 6

SWITZBES HOSPITAL.

(To the Editor.)

Sin, — In looking over your issue of the 24th hist., I see in your Switzers com. spondence a statement of the amount of salary received by the Hospital Surgeon. I opened my eyes wide in surprise, and had to look a second time boibre I was sure that I was not mistaken. No doubt you and your Hospital Committeo will be equally sui'prised when you see and compare tho salary of our Hospital Surgeon with salaries received by surgeons in similar institutions. Speaking of the amount of accommodation the doctor was allowed to "enjoy" when at home, your correspondent should have left the word enjoy out, and stated what the accommodation really was, and let the public judge for themselves. I am sorry to see that our Hospital Committee are not in a position to make an effort to provide more comfortable accommodation and increase of salary to retain tlio valuable services of Dr. Lake.

I am informed that efforts are being made in several other localities, who are offering liberal subsidies to secure his services, and which no doubt he will accept if the Switzers people do not make it worth his while to remain. Dr. Lake has now established himself in this district, and has gained the confidence of the inhabitants by bis successful treatment of some very difficult cases. It will certainly be a great loss to the district if he leaves it, as the inducements are not sufficient to tempt another duly qualified medical man to come here. Being a miner from one of the back diggings, I would suggest that subscription lists be sent to each of the outlying districts, and allowed to remain there continuously in charge of some responsible person, who oould from iimo to time forward t'ue money to the treasurer as he receives ie, for many miners who have not the money when the collector comes round may have it at, some other time. I also believe that a great many would prefer to give a small amount several times in the year than a iar^e amount at once. — I am, &c, Subsckibeb. Switzers, September 1. P.S. — I have just heard that Dr. Lake has no intention oi' leaving the district for some time yet, which, I am glad to say, will give the people a chance of securing his services,