The Hastings Standard Published Daily THURSDAY, DEC. 16, 1897. A HOSPITAL WANTED.

Hastings Standard, Issue 503, 16 December 1897, Page 2

The Hastings Standard Published Daily

THURSDAY, DEC. 16, 1897. A HOSPITAL WANTED.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

Hastings, with a population in the Borough of between three and four thousand, and a district population of as many more, is one of the few important centres in the colony that is not possessed of a Hospital. At the present time, if an ac-cident occurs, the victim has either to be attended in his home—the environments of which are not favourable to successful antiseptic treatment —or has to travel a considerable distance to the nearest Hospital. "Why should this be so ? Why should not the Hastings district have a Hospital of its own ? See the advantage it would be to the inhabitants. Hundreds of pounds which go to Napier would be expended in this town. Lives that are sacrificed in travelling would be saved. Everything would be to the advantage of the place. Then what is there to prevent our having a Hospital? There is provision under the Hospital and Charitable Aid Act for the erection and maintenance of a Hospital from rates. In fact, at the present time, the settlers of the Hastings district are contributing in rates towards the maintenance of the Napier Hospital. Why should this be'? Where is our professed loyalty to the town in which we live ? All that is required is combination to secure our purpose. Who will take the lead in the matter'? It is not necessary that the institution should be continuously maintained by rate. It can be supported by voluntary subscription. And the advantage in this connection is that for every pound voluntarily subscribed the Government will contribute a subsidy of twentyfour shillings. Under the rating system the subsidy is lost. This is a strong reason why the Hastings district should have a hospital of its own. It may be urged that a separate institution in this district would impair the efficiency of the Napier Hospital. There is no reason why it should do so. The surroundings of Napier are sufficiently populous and wealthy to maintain the city hospital in decency. But supposing the Napiei; Hospital did suffer a little. Is that any consideration of ours '? The first and only consideration should be the preservation of life. Are we, removed a distance of twelve miles and more from a hospital, doing our duty to humanity in remaining inactive ? Are we doing our duty to this district ? If we are not—and our conscience must tell us we are not —let us bestir ourselves, bring the j town into line with other township 1 and secure an institution which is an absolute necessity.