THE HOSPITAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 424, 9 December 1868, Page 2

THE HOSPITAL CORRESPONDENCE.

{To t/ie Editor of the Westport Times and Charleston Argus.) Sir.—l was much gratified by reading the letter of Dr. Giles in thus day's issue, and a very good explanation I consider it, although crude and " Old Identityish" in some of its ideas. If that explanation had, been given up here at the first public meeting, when they asked us for the first subscriptions, it would no do-iV have done away with a great deal of misunderstanding. There are a few remarks of Dr. Giles's which Ido not hold with, viz : where he asks, Would the sum of three guineas be enough to keep a man in lodging, nursing, and medical attendance, or would any beuefit society which proceeded upon this basis be long solvent. As an old Forester Society's man allow me to tell Dr. Giles that for a less sum than three guineas peryearthey not only find a rnan doctor's attendance and medicines, but allow him 20s per week, and £2O at death, and then are able to save £3OO or £4OO to put by for a rainy day. I can prove that in this colony, and on diggings ; and I believe, by judicious management, the' Hospital, after the first outlay, if required, might do the same. For instance (at a guess) the committee gather £6OO. Add two for one from the Government. That will give £IBOO. Calculate doctor's fees for medicine and attendance £3OO ; warders and cooks, say £3OO. As an average through the year, say six patients. For food for them, say £6 per week, making £312. Say £2OO for incidental expenses for the year. That would be £lll2, which would leave £6BB, and I think that, after paying for building and other necessaries, you will say with me they would be able to put away a few pounds for a rainy day. I have not allowed anything for the board of the patient who can afford to pay. Dr Giles must not think for a moment the miners grudge a guinea, or maintenance money, but T believe it is a general opinion that we can do without all that fuss they have of making a patient see one of the Visiting Committee. The first idea of the Provisional Committee would be far better, in allowing a guinea ticketholder to have the power of going in or recommending any one, and when they get in, then they could very well talk about nvinteuance money. It would save a great deal of running about, I think, for there would be bound to be a subscriber near, when a Visiting Committee would have to be found. To conclude, I think if Dr Giles had finished his letter as he began it, he

would not have alluded as he has done to those whom he calls the champions of the miners in your columus, —those who have benevolently been trying to bring him and the rest of the Committee to a sense of their duty, which, happily, they have succeeded in doing to some extent. —I remain, Tours &c. A Mixer. Caledonian Terrace, Dec. 7.