WAIKATO HOSPITAL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2668, 17 August 1889, Page 2

WAIKATO HOSPITAL.

TO THE EDrroit. Sin,—-It will be fresh in tbo minds of most of your readers that when the Government took the first step towards giving us real "local self-government," by putting the cost of hospitals upon the public direct, and included the Waikato in the Auckland district, what a hue and cry was raised against the Government for tacking us on to Auckland. Our contribution from Waipa was considered very heavy. After some trouble the Act was amended and Waikato made a separate hospital district, the contention being that if wo could manage our own affairs so much better a great saving would bo effected. The ratepayers had a right to expect that the Board would make every effort to keep down the expenditure. What has been the result? From statistics to hand we are informed that there is only one hospital more expensively managed than ours, and in the face of this it is now proposed to increase the doctor's salary, build him a residence, increiisa the secretary's salary, employ moro nurses, &c. Where, and when will it end? The number of patients seldom exceeds ten, and yet more nurses are to be employed. The worthy doctor says he cannot serve two masters. Surely his first duty is to the Board which employs him. It is high time that tho country representatives objected, and with no uncertain sound, to the manner in which the executive are running the concern. I have set the ball rolling—let some abler pen than mine keep it goinp.—l am, &c., F. C. Gkhmann. Taterangi, August 13th, 1889.