THE HOSPITAL.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1057, 9 July 1883, Page 2

THE HOSPITAL.

- TO THE EDITOR. g IR> —Yourccorrespondent(t t( Lookeron,” is a singular person. He fancies that every case of distress can be relieved at once by those charitable persons who have given donations to the Hospital. But who is the sick or poor person to ‘apply to for the red herring, potatoes, cheese and flowers he ? He could not go to Whenuakura for his flowers, Manutnhi for butter, and Waverley for strawberries, and these gifts might not be then available. And where are free lodgings obtainable except at the Police station ? We have, quite as many charitable people in Patea as ever, but they would prefer to aid the most deserving and necessitous rather than encourage a horde of beggars amongst whom private benevolence could not well discriminate. 'lf there is real want in Patea (as we are told) there is liberality also, and if “ Looker on ” will give two pounds towards its relief I will give the same amount, both donations to be placed in the hands of the Mayor for distribution. Other persons would cooperate with us if the charity can be wisely and it would he better expended in fish, potatoes, &c., than in gifts of money which might go for bad whiskeyThe need of aid for keeping np onr hospital has not yet been properly brought before the people, but when this is done there can bo no doubt about a response, though times are hard.

“ Looker on ” says he would give a “ little” (probably very little) to blow up a . Government hospital. I should greatly like to know the name of our follow townsman who has a fancy for felony of this kind. I trust he will avow himself and let bis light so shine among men that they may see some of his good works besides his Guy Fawkes proclivities. Surely ho is mistaken in saying there has been only one bad case in the Hospital, as I seem to have heard of a number of accidents, &c,, each year; and he is certainly in error about a patient having.been recently sent away, as the only person so treated was the blind man Hudson, who cost the Council a considerable sum. Instead of promising money to blow up public buildings, “ Looker On” would act more sensibly, as he has such a “down” on Patoa, in saving it for sending himself elsewhere (which he contemplates being necessary) as few of ns would feel disposed to help in sending an ingratc, or a man with Fenian explosive propensities, anywhere except in.custody of the police.—Yours, &c., July 7. Benevolence.