DUNSTAN.

Otago Witness, Issue 740, 3 February 1866, Page 8

DUNSTAN.

(PEOK THE DAILY 11MES CORRESPOSDEHT.) 26th Jan. We have another aspirant in the field for the representation of Manuherikia in the General Assembly, in the person of Captain Baldwin, who will no doubt stand

a much better chance of being returned than Mrßradshaw, who has twice previously wooed in vain the sweet voices of the electors of this district. Neither that gentleman nor his Qneenstown contemporary, Mr Manders, are likely to receive much favor here. We must return a local man if possible, and one who has a stake in the place. The gallant Captain has, however, something to answer for respecting his resignation when member for ths Goldfields, which, in the event of a third candidate coming forward, will militate considerably Bgainst him. lam very much inclined to think that Mr Dillon Bell would be elected should he come forward.

The weather lately has been more propitious. The Molyneux is rapidly getting within reasonable bounds, and there is a prospect of work speedily being resumed along its banks. The self-acting punt of Messrs Edwards and M'Pherson is once more in working order. Its stoppage was productive of an immense deal of trouble. People^ doing business with the Nevis were sadly inconvenienced, besides being subjected to much additional expense in getting their goods across.

Campbell's Gully has been visited with severe storms of rain and snow, whhh have interrupted work for three days at a stretch. About one hundred people are on the ground, and, notwithstanding the unfavorable state of the weather, are doing remarkably well. The wires which were stretched between the snow- poles are all broken down, the wire lying uselessly upon the ground. The poles themselves have proved highly useful, but the wire is a total failure Both shelter-sheds are very much out of order, and need considerable repairs to make them serviceable. The one on the summit of the mountain is in a fearfully dilapidated condition, the <irift entering in every direction. Our Blow-going goldfields authorities will most likely see to the repairs of the sheds as ■soon as some casualty to human life is reported, J

The township of Alexandra has considerably improved in appearances lately. It is an old saying, and a true one, " that it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good." _ The late floods have proved very beneficial in filling up vacant stands in Broad street, which iB now rendered compact by the removals from Water street, and other low-lying localities.

On Thursday last, there was a public examination of the children attending the Cromwell school. The teacher, Mr N. Fleming, was highly complimented upon the proficiency of his scholars, fifteen of whom were awarded prizes. The recipients of the three principal prizes were James Earley, Emma Mar&h, and James Kichards.

The third annual meeting of the subscribers and contributors to the Dunstan listrict Hospital was held at George's Union Hotel, on Monday evening last. The attendance was highly satisfactory. Mr H. W. Robinson, the President, occupied the chair, and, after explaining the object of the meeting, and complimenting the subscribers upon the success of the Institution during the past year, called upon Mr Cope, the Secretary, to read the annual report. Mr Cope then read as follows : — "To the subscribers and contributors to

the Dunstan District Hospital.

"In submitting this, their annual report for the year commencing Ist January, 1865, and ending 31*t December of the same year, your Committee have great pleasure in informing you that the Institution is in a most efficient condition, and competent to deal with any case -whatever, even should its cure be of the most difficult nature. The building itself has been materially improved ; great attention has been paid to the internal arrangements, so as to insure the comfort of patients, and a strict economy in the working of the various domestic departments. Guttering has been placed round the building ; three water tanks have been procured, and placed in a position for storing rain, and other water, to the extent of 1500 gallons. A new dead-house has been built ; the grounds surrounding the building have been placed under cultivation, which will effect a considerable saving of expense during the present year. A branch has been cut from the Town Race, and arrangements have been made with Mr Holt, its proprietor, for a permanent supply of water. This has proved of considerable •advantage, especially as regards the sanitary condition of the institution. A large and effective cooking range has been purchased, having an attached apparatus which will supply sixty gallons of boiling water, at any hour of the day or night. These additions and improvements have cost L 231 0s 6d. Your committee have worked amicably together. There has

not been the slightest misunderstanding, either amongst thtmselves or with the officers of the institution, to which fortunate circumstance must be mainly attri - buted the highly satisfactory state of present affairs. Your Committee cannot too highly appreciate the exertions made by the Resident Surgeon, Dr. Charles Shaw, for the welfare of the Institution, and the careful treatment of patients under bis charge. The servants of the Institution also deserve great credit ; they have ,

been strictly obedient to orders, civil and obliging to patients, whose comfort they have exerted themselves to promote.

" The first general meeting of subscribers for 1865, wd9 held on Wednesday evening, the 25th January, at the Victoria Theatre, when the following gentlemen were elected members of the Committee : — H. W. Robinson (President) ; J. E. Staite (Hon. Treasurer) ; H. J. Cope, (Hon. Secretary) ; and Messrs Isaacs, Jacobs, Morrice, Grieve, Grindley, Barlow, Goodwin, Cambridge, Rowley, Currie and Pool. Two auditors, Messrs Harrold and Christophers, were also elected. On the 25 r h September, there was a Becond general meeting of subscribers, for the purpose of electing six members of Committee in the place of Messrs Poole, Isaacs, Rowley, Jacobs, Grieve, and Currie, resigned. The following gentlemen were elected : — Messrs J- Jack, J. C. Thomson, Hazlitt, Abel, Edwards, and M'Connichie. The Committee have held 11 monthly, 6 special, and 4 adjourned meetings. The attendance has been as follows : — Goodwin, 18 meetings; Cambridge, 18; Cope, 18; Staite, 17; Morice, 17: Benlow, 17; Grindley, 14; Downing, 13; Poole, 9; Robinson, 8 ; Rowley, 8 ; Hazlitt, 7 ; Jacobs, 5; M'Connichie, 4; Thomson, 4; Edwards, 4; Currie, 4; Isaacs, 3; Jack, 2 ; Abel, 1 ; Grieve, 0.

4 The Visiting Surgeon, Dr Charles 1 Morice, has rendered most effectual assistance to the House Surgeon, and merits your heartiest approval. During the year there have been 112 patients admitted, which, together with 19 in the institution at its commencement, give a total of 131 patients, out of which 112 have been discharged cured or relieved, 10 have died, and 9 remain still in the institution ; 75 out-patients have been cured or relieved, 7 still remain on the books. The in-door patients were from the following places : — Clyde, 72 ; Alexandra, 30 ; Cromwell, 26 ; Upper Manuherikia, 34 ; Nevis, 10.

14 The total disbu-sements for the year amounted to L 4233 15s Bd, made up as follows: — Liabilities incurred during 1864, L 1659 Is 6d. Expenditure for 1865, L 2574 14s 2d. The items are thus:— Salaries, wages, and commission, L 719 0s lid; grocer's and oilmens' stores, L 384 19s 8d; medical' comforts, L 230 os 9d; meat, L 347 9s ; bread, L 165 3s 8d ; milk, L9l Is 9d; fuel, L 62 Is 6d; vegetables, LI B Is lOd; furnishings, L 231 0* 6d; printing and advertising, L 77 4s 6d ; drugs, L 52 4s 8d ; surgical instruments, L 35 ss6d; miscellaneous, LlO4 14s 8d; interment?, L4B 15s; incidental, L 5 17s.

"The receipts have been as follows : — Government special grant, L 2000; subsidy, L 1400; subscriptions and donations, L 290 18s8d; bazaars, L-309 _19s ; ball, L2O; lecture, Ll2 ; paying patients, L 76 ; miscellaneous, LBss ; overdraft at bank, LUG 13s. From the Government there is due, as subsidy against subscriptions, L 123 18s, which, after paying the Bank overdraft, will leave L 6 5s in favor of the institution.

" Your Committee's term of office having now expired, they resign their trust into your hands, with the assurance that they have done their utmost to promote the interests of so valuable an institution as the Dunstan District Hospital, and feel convinced that their successors, now that everything is in the most perfect working order, will find their task an easy one to accomplish."

Proposed by Mr Marshall, " That the thanks of this meeting be given to the out-going Committee for their services on behalf of the Hospital; and that the annual report be adopted." Seconded by Mr Ziele, and carried. The Chairman then vacated the chair, the duties of the committee having closed.

By universal consent, Mr Robinson was again fleeted, and the business of electing a committee for 18C6 was proceeded with. Twenty-four names were placed in nomination. The result of the polling was as follows :— Stephenson, 23; Cope, 23; Robinson, 22 ; Edwards, 21 ; Grindley, 21 ; Hazlett, 21; Cambridge, 21: M'Connichie, 19; Benlow, 17; J.~Jack, 16; Morice, 15; Goodwin, 14; Marshall, 14; Stratford, 14; B toth, 11. Mr Robinson was elected Fresident ; Mr Cope, Secretary ; Mr Stephensori, Treasurer. Messrs Christophers and Hall were elected Auditors. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the proceedings.

The Spiritual Times publishes what purports to be the substance of an interview between a Mr Robert Cooper, of Esstbourne, and the spirit of the late Prince Consort.