WAKATIP HOSPITAL.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 27, 1 August 1863, Page 6

WAKATIP HOSPITAL.

On Wednesday evening last a meeting was convened at Bracken s Hotel* for the purpose of forming a Provisional Committee in reference to the future management of the Hospital, one wing of which is nearly completed and will be in a few days ready for the reception of patients. Richmond Beetham, Esq. took the chair at eight o'clock p. m., and described the nature and purpose of the meeting as follows

Gentlemen, —You are doubtless aware of the object of this meeting, viz.:—For the purpose of devising measures for the advancement of the Hospital of the district. 1 will not dwell at any length on the advantages to be derived from such an institution or the necessity that exists of at once taking prompt measures to open and support our local Hospital. ~ , i Few are aware of the number of sick and comparatively destitute persons in this district, and I mav, I am sure, feel confident, that with the knowledge of the sad accidents that have recently occurred°in our district, every one in this place will endeavour by all means in their power to aid in this good work. You are all doubtless aware that when the building at present in course of erection at Frankton (as a central spot of the whole district) is completed, it will be handed over by the Government to a local committee who will have the entire management of its affairs in their hands. The nature of the powers of that committee of management together with its liabilities and its relations to the Government, will be best ascertained by a reference to an act passed by the Provincial Council, intituled the Hospital Ordinance," passed 4th December, 1862, by which it appears to me that all which can at present be done is to form a provisional Committee, empowered to collect subscriptions, and otherwise forward the interests of the Hospital, leaving the permanent Committee of Management to be formed or elected when the building at present in course of construction shall be in a fit state to be handed over to the committee, which we may hope will have been formed and in working order by that time. I may here mention that one of the wards, measuring 50x60 feet, is at presett nearly completed, but the other necessary portions of the building, such as the kitchen, Surgeon's and Superintendent's and Matron's rooms, are not at present in a very advanced state. I would suggest then, in the first place, that you elect an Interim Committee, together with a President, Secretary, and Treasurer, pro tem. Similar arrangements might be suggested to the residents at the Arrow, Frankton, and other places within the district for which the Hospital 18 connected; and when such Interim Committees have collected as large a sum of money as possible you might then elect a Permanent Committee of Management. Though lam certainly of opinion that the gentlemen elected to-night should form a Provisional Committee only, leaving it to a future meeting of the subscribers to elect their permanent representatives. I shall now be glad to hear the opinion of the meeting upon the subjects on which I have slightly and imperfectly touched. Mr Cassius asked how many members there ought to be, as he thought a committee ought to be formed. Had any fund been collected ? # . Mr. Bruce. —Nothing has yet been done in the matter. Mr. M'Masters. —Is it for want of funds the Hospital is not opened ? Mr. Beetham.—No, decidedly not; it is not yet completed. Mr. Cassius.—The main thing is funds ; we can always get good officers' I hope gentlemen will come forward this evening. Proposed by Mr. Cassius. seconded by Mr. Harris, and earned: — That a committee of 12 subscribers, whose subscriptions amount at least to 20s. per annum, to be called the " Queenstown Interim Committee of Management for the Hospital," with the object of collecting subscriptions and managing the affairs of the hospital, until a permanent committee be elected by subscribers. Mr. Cassius.—l hope the miners will come forward and support us. Proposed by Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Rees, and agreed to—That Richmond Beetham, Esq., R.M., be the President of the Interim Committee. » Proposed by Mr. Welsh, seconded by Mr. Cassius, and agreed to—That Mr. Thomas Hood Brown be treasurer. Proposed by Mr. M'Gaw, seconded by Mr. Gordon, and agreed to—That Mr. Rees be nominated one of the provisional committee. Mr. Harris proposed Dr. Evison, but the doctor declined the honor, and said that he would be proud to assist professionally whenever his services might be useful. Proposed by Mr. M'Master, secouded by Mr. "Walker, and agreed to—That Mr. Bracken be appointed one of the provisional committee. * Proposed by Mr. M'Gaw, seconded by Mr. Bletcher, and agreed to—That Mr. Morton be one of the committee. Proposed by Mr. Gordon, seconded by Mr. Cassius, and agreed to—That Mr. Harris be appointed one of the committee. Proposed by Mr. Luscombe, seconded by Mr. Cassius, and agreed to—That Mr. Horton be appointed a member of the provisional committee. Proposed by Mr. Welsh, seconded by Mr. Harris, and agreed to—That Mr. Gordon be appointed a member of the provisional committee. In answer to Mr. Horton,

Mr. Beetham said that be should convene I a meeting at the Shotover and Arrow when it was expedient to form the General Committee, as he was anxious that gentlemen of those.places should join in the general management. Proposed by Captain Budd, seconded by Mr. Rees, and agreed to—That Mr. Grumitt be appointed a member of committee. Proposed by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mr Turner, and agreed to—That Mr. M'Gaw be appointed a member of committee. Proposed by Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Powell —That Mr. Comiskey be appointed a member of committee. Proposed by Captain Budd, seconded by Mr. Walker, and agreed to—That Mr. Cassius be appointed a member of committee. Proposed by Mr. Willis, seconded by Mr. Wright, and agreed to—That Mr. Brookes be appointed a member of the committee. Proposed by Mr. Bruce, seconded by Mr. Harris, and agreed to —That Mr. Cassius be appointed secretary to the provisional committee. Proposed by Mr. M'Gaw, seconded by Mr. Gordon—That not less than 7 form a quorum. An amendment proposed by Mr. Rees, seconded by Mr. Wright—That not less than 5 members form a quorum of the provisional committee. Carried. Proposed by Mr. M'Gaw, seconded by Mr. Morton, and carried—That the committee meet at Mr. Bracken's Hotel, to-morrow morning, at 10 o'clock. Proposed by Mr. Gash, seconded by Mr. Bruce, and carried—That the surplus money subscribed for the bridle track from Queenstown to Arthur's Point, be handed over to the treasurer of the provisional committee. Proposed by Mr. Bruce, seconded by Mr. Morton, and carried—That a subscription list be drawn out and handed round the room at once. Proposed by Mr. Luscombe, seconded by Capt. Budd, and carried —That each member of this committee keep a separate account of whatever money he may collect, and such account be published at least once before the meeting of the subscribers who are to elect the permanent committee. Mr. Livingstone here stated that he would do all in his power towards arranging the preliminaries for an Amateur Concert in aid of the Hospital. Received with thanks. Mr. Bruce proposed, and Mr. Bletcher seconded, " That the list of subscribers be published in the Wakatip Mail." Agreed to. Mr. Grumitt stated, on behalf of the proprietors of that journal, that all advertisements for the Hospital would be inserted gratuitously. Mr. Harris proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Beetham for his kindness and attention during the meeting. Seconded by Mr. Bruce, and carried. Mr Beetham congratulated the meeting on the success that had attended their first efforts, as nearly £IOO had been subscribed that evening.