MEDICAL MATTERS IN HAMILTON

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3098, 24 May 1892, Page 2

MEDICAL MATTERS IN HAMILTON

m TO THE EDITOR. Sin, —I see that a meeting of parents and others interested in medical matters was held last week in Hamilton, and I would like to eay a few words on the matter, which is one of the greatest moment to many of ua. In the first place I must say that I strongly object to the proposal of the Hospital Board to give cheap out-door attendance to the general public. In the first place this would only benefit a few of the ratepayers living immediately around Hamilton, as it is not likely that any patients would come all the way from Ngaruawahia, Cambridge, Te Aroha, Tβ Awamutu, etc., for the sake of cheap medical advice. If they could afford to come those distances they could probably afford to pay a doctor at, or nearer, home. Why then should any one portion of the district be specially legislated for ? and this is what is being asked for iu a petition which I understand is being signed in Hamilton at the present time. In the second place, I should think that everyone recognises that when the Hospital post ia filled —und I assume at once that Dr. Kenny will fill it—it will be absolutely necessary to have a good family physician in the district. Therefore, I think the action taken by those parents who attended the meeting is deserving of support, and the appointment of a committee to see how things are going is a step in the right direction. If Dr. Kenny is appointed tu the Hospital, then it will be for the committee to call another meeting to decide what shall ba done, when probably it will be possible to select a good man, be he who he may, from amongst the numerous applicants for the post of Hospital surgeon which are bound to be sent in. It has been said that the meeting wa3 got up in the interests of Dr. Kenny by a few of his friends, etc. ; but. judging by'the report, I think it was got ui> in the interests of the general public, and family persons in particular. I hope people will consider well before .signing any petition to the Hospital Board to c;irry out an idea which, I am sure, would prove unworkable (it has already been an ignominious failure at the Thniros), and which may militate very much agiiinst our getting a good family physician to nettle amongst us.—l am, etc.. A Par EM'.