HOSPITAL FUNDS.

New Zealand Mail, 30 December 1892, Page 21

HOSPITAL FUNDS.

Sir,- It has occurred bo rxe that the diffi. uulty in connection with funds for the Wellington Hospital could to some extent be overcome if the method that is adopted in Victoria were carried out here. They have two days in the year when they systematic* ally oanvans for funds for the hospital, known an Hospital Saturdsy and Sunday. Subscription lists are sent round to all the workshops and factories and business places, and the football clubs, and some of tho theatres devote the takings of that particular day to the fund. On Sunday speoial appropriate sermons are preached, "and the whole of the collections go to the fund. Bands play selections in differont parts of the oity, and collections are tak--n up. All, or nearly all, the trade societies and clubs give a certain amount annually, and the result is a considerable sum of money every year. It is decidedly unfair that the support of the hospital Bhould all fall upon property owners. It is plain that property owners are not the only people that use the institution, and the method I have alluded to would reach a great many who otherwise would not contribute. I waa pleased to see the stand Mr Petherick and others took against tbe starting of another institute until some other method of maintaining it was adopted than at present obtains. The suggestion is Burely worth a trial. It certainty can do no harm, and I feel confident that the result would be satisfactory It would at least have the merit of releasing the ratepayers to some extent. —lam, &c, J. Austin. Petone, Deoomber t