Hospital Aid.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XXIX, Issue 8693, 24 March 1897, Page 2

Hospital Aid.

THE THAMES REQUEST REFERRED TO. (Per Press Association.) "Wellington, March 23.

Tlir Hospital Trustees waited' on the Colonial 'froisurer and tlio Hon. W. C. Walker to-day to rtsk for a subsidy towards the erection of a proper operating room at. the hospital. Dr. Ewart .mid operations had amounted from 31 in 1880 to 600 last year, and sometimes there were 12 and 14 in a day -The present room was too small, unsuitable, and difficult to keep disinfected, ' Some .of the Trustees said the Hospital was-becom-ing (i colonial institution, as people came from all parts of the couiury to it. The cost would ho £1500 (o £2000, and they had not the means of getting the money. The Colonial Treasurer (Mr Seddon), 'aid. the necessity for a new room was proved, but he pointed to the example' of Wanganui and told the Trustees they ought to ?o to wealthy people for assistance.' The history of the. city did not. reflect much credit on the philanthropby of its rich citizens, but the Trustees hr.d the sympathy of the Government, and if its inhabitants would not dt> their duty they must come to Ministers again, but nothing couid be done duricg the recess as the money must be voted by Parliament. The hospital, however, was no more a colonial institution than others. It J belonged to the community here and not to the Government. The Hon W. ,0. Walker also took the same view, and-said pressing representations'were made to the Government to erect a hospital on the northern goldfields, but after what had been done by Wanganui people,they could not do so.