The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 279, 23 June 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 1868.

To-night the adjourned hospital meet- . ing will be held, and as the public have more than fulfilled the stipulated conditions on which the local management would be given up to a committee, we presume no difficulty will be made to the transfer at once taking place. It is true that the full half of the grant-in-aid has not been made up, but as the £I2OO voted has to extend over a whole year, the amount gathered is earnest enough in all conscience to prove that before its expiration the required sum will not only be got but be exceeded. We may, therefore, conclude that the nomination of candidates for the annual committee will take place to-night, and that no delay will take place in getting matters into thorough working order. In reference to the order of proceeding, as a matter of course none but actual subscribers will be allowed to take any part either in the nomination or election. As it is impossible that the subscribers resident on Addison's and the Caledonian can come in to Westport, it is only reasonable that they should be allowed to vote in each of these places, and if such is the case it is clear that the election cannot be concluded to-night if there are more candidates than vacancies. This brings us to the next question, viz., how many shall the committee consist of? The number, no doubt, will be suggested in the committee's report, and it will be for the body of subscribers to endorse or differ from that recommendation. From past experience it has been found that too large or too small committees alike work badly, and a medium number generally get through their business most satisfactorily. Nine has been a favorite number, for whilst, in case of some necessary absentees, it still leaves a fair attendance in case of all being present, it is a very convenient number for working purposes. As to the number that may be determined on, we have nothing to say further, but as to the kind of men to be chosen we may be permitted to make a few remarks. In doing so we have not the slightest intention of referring to any individuals by inuendo or otherwise. In the first place, the committee will be new to their work, and it would be well if one or two at least of those to be elected, had had some experience in other places where the management was of a creditable kind. "With the best intentions a wholly unexperienced committee can readily fall into errora, which, though they could not be of a serious nature, still are better, if possible, avoided The work we fancy will be of a more important character, than might be at first imagined. We have reason to believe, that changes of the most radical nature will be required, and that future hospital direction must be conducted on a totally different basis to that of the past. "We have no desire to enlarge upon this portion of-the subject, but mention it so that those who accept office may be prepared fully to undertake its responsibilities. It will be the duty of the committee, of course in connection with the Commissioner as the representative ofthe Government, to provide for more ample accommodation than has been the case hitherto, and amongst other things, we trust that in future such medical skill and appliances of all descriptions may be procured, as will obviate the necessity of sending any more patients away to Nelson. The Committee will have

abundant means at their disposal, ia fact, not far short of £2OOO during the year, and it should be, and we trust will be, their pride to render our hospital a pattern hospital in every respect. Another and very material matter for the subscribers to consider in their choice is who amongst the candidates are likely to prove the best working men ? In hospital management, either lavish liberality or excessive penuriousness are alike detrimental, and in no i?istitutiou must the governing body exercise greater care to avoid both extremes. Another point should, and wo hope will be insisted on, viz., to extort specific pledges from all candidates, that in the event of their election they will assiduously attend to the duties of their office. There are too many both in "Westport and elsewhere, who are eager to become members of different bodies for the honor of the thing, but who once elected, systematically neglect their functions themselves, and at the same time thereby prevent other more industrious and conscientious men from filling their place. Whoever the committee may be they have plain sailing before them. They take office with the conaent, and indeed at the wish of the Government, they have abundant funds at command, they are not hampered with any imprudences of predecessors, and the public therefore have every right to expect a great deal at their hands.