THE DUNEDIN HOSPITAL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 14, 2 August 1873, Page 10

THE DUNEDIN HOSPITAL.

n. _ , (Contributed.) THB Hospital supporters ought at once to organise themselves for the purpose of securing the efficient working of shat institution. They ought if possible to know from the government— lst. What is the amount to be expected in aid of its support ? 2nd. A Committee ought to be formed under whose inspection, made weekly, or when they deem fit, the Hospital arrangements in every depaitment may be efficiently conducted. 3rd. We would suggest that the Hospital be divided so as to admit of classification according to the character of the inmates; taking care that notorious characters should not be allowed into the same ward with respectable and well-conducted persons. 4th. We feel certain that if special portions of the Hospital were allotted to the principal religious denominations, many advantages would follow to tha inmates from such a course. The Catholic inmates have very often been annoyed by the distributors of Protestant tracts, leaving their articles on the beds of the Catholic patients, and by the oft repeated phrase, "Do you know the Lord P " Roman Catholic clergymen have had to complain again and again of the over officiousness of those not belongingto the Catholic Church. We are moreover aware that Protestant instruction was often given aloud to the entire ward at the same time that some Catholic patients were in the ward. If the different denominations had their separate wards, then all this trouble would be removed, and in the contributions handed in by the public, the charge of favoritism would be avoided j and the public spirit of the different denominations would be effectually tested. If the Government gave a pro rota sum for each patient, and Borne such plan as that now suggested were adopted, it may prove a blessing to tho inmates. In our proposition there is no clashing of creed with creed ; it is precisely to avoid the unpleasant circumstances of the past, that we venture to propose the measure. We think it does not say much for the wisdom or prudence of the Government and the Provincial Uonncil to take away from the Hospital the definite sum necessary for its efficient working, without at the same time providing some sure resources for that purpose. If left as it is, aa to system and the means of providing funds, certainly before a twelvemonth passes many complaints vpll be forthcoming against the Government measure, and the usefulness of the Hospital will be diminished, without a counteracting advantage arising out of the course adopted.