The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 281, 25 June 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 1868.

If any doubt had previously existed as to the desirability of effecting a change in the management of the V r estport hospital, it must be effectually removed after perusing the report of the Provisional Committee presented at the meeting held on Tuesday evening last. It is not necessary to dwell at any length en the revelations that even a cursory investigation brought to light, but at the same time they would be almost incredible were they not proved to be true, and say very little for Gro-vei-nmcnt direction of this institution. This now, however, we may set down as a thing of the past, and it would answer no good end to speculate on the effect that such sick comforts and accommodation may have had on the patients who have hitherto been treated within its walls. As dilating on what has been discovered would in no wise mend matters, we content ourselves with merely referring to the disclosures with a view to stimulate the future committee to zeal in their new duties, and to point out to them what sweeping reforms require to be immediately made. After passing through a sea of trouble, the Wustporfc hospital seems

to have a hope of becoming what a hospital should be, and it has now taken the first stop. The subscriptions gathered in a fortnight have been £319, and that an equal amount will bo got with caso in six months, much less a whole year, there is not the slightest doubt. The one great trouble, the question of funds, is thus agreeably disposed of. The next matter, and the most serious one, that all who wish the hospital well, and who does not, should well consider, is the election of a committee. At the meeting it was decided that all subscribers of ten shillings should vote, and that polling places be opened at Westport, Addison's and the Caledonian. We confess that we would rather that a fixed number of members should have been allotted to each place, and fully admit that the out districts have the most perfect right to be frilly and fairly represented. Our distribution of the thirteen vacancies would have been four to the Caledonian, the same number to Addison's, and five to Westport. This we think no reasonable man could have considered unfair. But such distribution is too late now to talk about, and we only give our ideas on the subject in order to show that any remarks we may make are not induced by any desire to restrict in the smallest degree the representation of all places. The power of returning the Committee, under existing regulations, lies virtually with the Caledonian and Addison's, the populations of those districts so far exceeding that of Westport, and in that the danger lies. We do not wish to be misunderstood in this matter. There is no reason to believe that a Committee, even if exclusively composed of residents in those localities, would not in all respects be equal to a Committee selected from Westport or elsewhere, both in intelligence and zeal, but at the same time, under the circumstances, such a result could not be otherwise than most disastrous to the cause that all the subscribers must have at heart. A hospital to be properly conducted requires constant surveillance. Thereare sub-committeesrequired-whose time must necessarily be occupied, some a portion of every day, some two or three days a week. These have to report to the general meeting, which is held weekly, and it is most essential that whoever takes office, should be prepared to devote a great deal of time if they intend to be of real service, and if they cannot do this, they only injure instead of advance the Hospital interests. It is certain that a Committee, resident at Addison's and the Caledonian, could not afford the time that would be consumed in travelling up and down, and discharging their Hospital duties too, whilst it is clear that those resident in the place where the Hospital is situated can do their duty, both at a less loss of time and less expense in every way. It might be satisfactory possibly, that some residents in each of these places should be returned, so that even if they could not attend as regularly as others, they would be able from time to time to report personally as to progress and management. The difficulty is easily met, a-d whilst the outlying districts are endowed with every power that they can desire, they have the means at command to elect men in whom they have perfect confidence. Surely there are men in Westport, business men or others, that they can place implicit trust in to represent them. There can be no favoritism or unfairness in such a case; it is merely a question of capacity for the position. There are no special privileges, and no payment of any description is enjoyed by members of committee ; their proceedings are public, and are regularly reported, and altogether injustice or partiality is impossible. We wish to point out that the duties are by no means light—that an absentee committee is an absolute injury to the afflicted patients, and that all who are elected must be prepared to attend strictly to the obligations they undertake, or that they are guilty of actual cruelty and injustice in filling a place that they are unable or unwilling to fill. These are the reasons why a committee elected chiefly from outlying districts can never be expected to work well, and we feel convinced that the subscribers at a distance will, on reflection, concur with us in this view. On the selection of the first committee the prosperity of the hospital mast virtually depend; and we do hope that where the interests of the maimed, the sick, the helpless, and tho afflicted are at stake, no paltry private pique, no unchristian party feeling may be allowed to sway the minds of any or all sections of tho community. Let all rivalry be who shall most aid his suffering fellowcreatures, by strenuously exerting himself in their behalf. A better time for healing, old differences could never be, and on no altar could the sacrifice of personal feeling be more fittingly laid than on that of charity.

The Kennedy will bring us Nelson news, amongst which the most important to Westport will be tlio fate of Mr Smith's motion for granting a bonus of £SOOO to any person or persons who will construct an iron tramway between this place and Charleston, via Addison's Flat. "We have a good and able advocate in the Colonist, but nevertheless have but little hope that the motion had the ghost of a chance to be carried. The ideas of the Superintendent and his party are far too grand to think of a tramway, we fear. Being thus prepared for a refusal, the question comes, can we not do something forthwith for ourselves as far as the formation of a tramway to Addison's goes. The survey is complete, a contractor will make it for a little over .£3OOO, a trade is waiting, and the Government would no doubt assist in some shape or way, though to what extent, has to be seen. At any rate it is worth while trying what can he done. A committee meeting of the Athenaeum Committee was held yesterday afternoon at the Court-house. Dr. Giles informed the committee that he and Mr Martin had made enquiries as to a suitable site for a building, and they had not been able for various reasons to decide. Dr. Giles also said that he was about to pay a visit to Nelson shortly, and it was resolved—"That he be requested to have an interview with the Provincial Executive on the subject, and make the best arrangements possible on this head." At the same time he was empowered to ascertain the proportion that would be given to this institution from the fund voted for public libraries, &c, by the Provincial Council, and any other matters connected with the institute. Dr. Giles kindly undertook these commissions, and the committee certainly could not have secured a better ambassador. We have now no doubt that the Athenaeum will shortly become an established fact, and Ave are sure it will be gladly welcomed by a large number for whom casinos and billiard-rooms, the only existing amusements, have no attractions. In another column will be found a list of the Caledonian and German Terrace subscriptions to the "Westport Hospital. Mr M'Farlane was the treasurer, and he set a worthy example yesterday by paying the whole amount into the bank, to the credit of the committee to be appointed. The Masonic ball came off last evening, and was, as might be expected, a great success. We are unable to give particulars in this issue, but will do the subject full justice in bur next. We are indebted to the courtesy of Mr Hughes of the Empire Hotel for a copy of a Grey River Argus Extraordinary of Tuesday evening. We have also to acknowledge the same courtesy from Mr Croker, and to both those gentlemen we beg to express our sincere thanks.