LOWER WHAREAMA.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 401, 28 February 1880, Page 2

LOWER WHAREAMA.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT) Feb. 25th. During the past few days there has been indications of rain, much, however, as it it is required, little or none has fallen asyet. ' I regret to record that a great deal of sickness prevails just now throughout the Castle Point district, It is usually the case at this season of the year, and may, I understand, be attributed to the bad water used by moat people. If such is the case householders should provide themselves with filters, which are not very expensive articles, En passant I may mention that some careless, laiy individuals, having no thought for their neighbors who live down stream, have been polluting the river by throwing the carcases of dead bullocks, etc., into it, We have no Inspector of Nuisances here to look after these matters, but surely it is quite within the province of our local policeman to stop so reprehensible a practice. A meeting to be held at the Tinui Public Hall, is called for March the 6th, 'at 4 pirn., the object of which is to con.cert measures re procuring the services of a doctor to reside in the district,. It is pretty freely admitted,to beone'.ofour most urgent wants, and it is to be hoped, therefore, that when subscription lists are being taken round none will be backward in giving their mite, for by aid of this only can this desideratum be accomplished Now that sickness, and in some instances death, is in ourj midst, people's eyes may be opened thoroughly to the necessity of having medical advice' nigh at' hand. It may not, therefore, be inopportune or out of place to bring the matter prominently before the public at the present time, In consequence of the failure of a former undertaking of the abeve nature through our not being fortunate in the choice of individvals, mauy people may argue that this attempt will also be a non-success. lam also informed that the previous failure may be accounted for in a measure by there being no residence for a doctor. This, it is said, can now be remedied, At any rate, ,we must not be cut down by former mishaps and mistakes, but rather be guided by them on this occasion, and not tail into like errors again. Should this matter be earnestly and properly undertaken I,see nothing to prevent a sum of £3OO being guaranteed by subscription, This, augmented by a profit on physic, accouchement fees, and outside practice (accruing' from non-sub-scribers), would amount in toto to about £450 per annum Another scheme suggests itself, whereby an extra amount could be collected. On the various stations here accidents aud cases of sickness are of frequent occurence among the employees, to whose advantage it would be to get medical advice cheaply and expeditiously, i.e,, it would be to their interest and benefit to support a resident doctor. It is therefore suggested that every station-holder or other employer of labor should, when engaging men, make it a certain conditio sine qua non that a certain percentage of their wages would be deducted as a subscription to the medical fund of the district, The small amount of 2s per month will result in a goodly sum if paid by every station hand. It would, I feel sure, not be beyond the capacity of any ordinary workman to give, and from what I kuow of station hands generally I believe an arrangement of this nature would be entered into with alacrity. The question stands thus between employer and employed:—You receive £6O wages, out of which is deducted £l4s per annum, and are guaranteed medical assistance during the time of employment. Business generally is dull in this district. I notice Mr Robson (Mr Tyer's manager) is travelling round to the various stations, with a view of purchasing sheep to boil at Tauherenikau, This gentleman for three'seasons has done a good deal of business here, It remains to be seen if our local enterprise at Waikaraka will militate against him this season. The Rev Father Halbwachs is making a clerical tour through the district visiting Catholics and Protestants alike. He is very popular here with all, and shows a bright example to ministers of other creeds, It should be some little solace to the inhabitants here to know that the sum of £2OOO has been handed to the County Council to expend in this district. Let us hope that the powers that rule will turn it into something durable (metal), and not into mud and quagmire, It is rumored that if more support in a pecuniary sense is not forthcoming the members' of the English Church are likely to lose the services of the clergyman who at present minister to their spiritual welfare, Our roads are now in their normal summer condition, hard and d.usty. Much credit is due to our indefat gablej road overseer, MrPerry, for the way in which he carries out his duties, especially in the matter of repairs'. The cricket match mentioned in my last letter is unavoidably postponed, sine die.