THE OAMARU HOSPITAL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 576, 7 March 1878, Page 2

THE OAMARU HOSPITAL.

TO TUB EDITOR OF THE EVENINO MAIL. " Charity covereth a multitude of sins." Sir, —In your issue of the 4th inst. I read a communication signed " Fair Play." "Fair Play" evidently wishes to be taken as one who is careful not "to let his right hand know what his left hand doeth." Perhaps, if truth were known, it would be hard to find what "Fair Play's" left hand has ever done in the way of either charity or benevolence. " Fair Play" at once assumes that the public dissatisfaction as to hospital matters are inspired. I quote his own words, by "one who is outside the pale of that faith which lias given birth to the sublime virtue of charity as it is delineated in the Gospel." He may be wrong or lie may bo right in his assumption. One thing is certain ; ho is vury pointed and personal. I would like to know who "Fair Play" is? also, what he has subscribed to the Hospital funds I Has " Fair Play" ever subscribed as much, or a tithe of as much, money towards the Hospital or any other public institution in Oamaru as this individual who is "outside the pale of the faith," &c. I have heard of one in this town of ours who is admittedly " outside the pale," &c., whose subscriptions have always been cheerfully given when asked for any charity (inside or outside the pale, &c.) without regard of creed or nationality, and who, if I am not mistaken, subscribed LIOO towards adding a lying-in ward to our Hospital, to say nothing of several previous donations, and the charity and benevolence of whose respected lady are too well known to need recapitulation. Can " Fair Play" point out an.y one " inside the pale," Arc.. who has done as much for the Hospital ? " Fair Play," from his knowledge of the Secretary, can perhaps inform the public of matters connected with that institution which that gentleman leaves them in ignorance of, and cannot be accused of lieing the " cat's-paw" of anyone in doing so. Will he do SO ?

As to " Fair Play's" knowledge of the character of the Secretary, I will not enter into any controversy about the matter, but must say that it appears strange to the outside public that a public institution having a paid Secretary must, as stated by your contemporary, be obliged to employ the services of " a well-known accountant" to prepare for the satisfaction of the subscribers a list of their donations—a work eminently the duty of the Secretary.—l am, &c., AXOTUEII Suii.Sc'RIBKR.