MEDICAL ATTENDANCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 623, 21 February 1879, Page 2

MEDICAL ATTENDANCE.

JTo the Editor of the Evening Herald. Sir, — A letter appeared m your columns some short time since, bearing the norn de plume of " Father of a Family." Without treating the subject so fully as he has done, or entering into the question of the individual, or collective qualifications of the local practitioners, I am also decidely of opinion that the time has arrived when a medical gentle* man should be induced to take up his abode amongst us— one who is not a mere amateur or bungler, but a master of his profession. I learn the Odd Fellows, at least, if not all the Friendly Societies combined, are advertising m other quarters for a thoroughly competent surgeon. But m the face of there being too doctors here already, and the small subsidy which could be guaranteed by these Societies, coupled with the fact that our population is not remarkably large, it is highly probably that a really first-class man might 1 be somewhat dubious of coming amongst us. A " Father of a Family " has suggusted the best and most practical way of surmounting this difficulty, by proposing to raise an amount as a bonus for the first year. This would, I think, get over the difficulty, and would strengthen the hands of the Odd Fellows m dealing with applicants. It would be conclusive evidence that a third practitioner-would at least have a certain amount of public support, 'and would secure him from pecuniary loss m testing the capabilities of the district for twelve months. ' But J would go a step further, and suggest that those desirous of contributing towards the bonus should lodge the money at once, either m one of the banks, m the hands of his Worship the Mayor with the Odd Fellows, or m any other satisfactory manner, and that the amounts so collected should be published. To avoid acrimonious feeling, which is sure to arise where persons are thrown into daily, if not hourly contact, as is the case within the limited circle of our perambulations, it might be as well not to publish the names of the donors m the first instance, if at all. Let " Father of a Family," and the others he knows of who will contribute their £10 a piece, take the initiative, and let us see how large the monetary snow ball will become m rolling along. There must be no delay, if the object so many of us, both m town and country, have m view, is to be promptly carried to a successfel issue. Pending the issue of the bonus contributions, the Odd Fellows might be induced to postpone making their final selection. — I am &c. , A Sufferer.