WESTPORT HOSPITAL.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 295, 11 July 1868, Page 3

WESTPORT HOSPITAL.

Though so much has been said of late in reference: to hospital matters, and as the management is now virtually, though not actually, given over into the hands of the public, there are a few points arising out of the first meeting of the committee that may be worth referring to. In the first place the committee have resolved to depend entirelv on volunteer aid in carrying on the business of the hospital, and in that we confess we think they have made a great mistake. Without d( übt the newly elected hon. see. will discharge his duties diligently, as far as he can without injuring or neglecting his own business ; but it is as impossible for him at all times, and under all circumstances, to be able to devote time to hospital matters as it would be for any other business man who has his own affairs to look after. One paid officer is clearly needed, who should combine the offices of secretary and collector, and this could be done without any great drain on the funds of the institution. By paying an officer of this kind a stated low salary as secretary, and at the same time employing him as collector at a moderate per centage, his services could always be made available, and the committee will find that some such arrangement will yet have to be come to. As to the Government declining to allow the grant-in-aid against a salary so paid, nothing could .be more unjust. They might with perfectly eqnal justice decline to allow it as against the salary paid to the medical officer or the warders. It is all very well to say that the business is so trifling, there being only some half dozen patients in the hospital, that the secretary would have no employment; but even with so small a number, clerical services, that the most willing volunteers cannot with certainty always be able to render, will constantly be required. This is only supposing that the number of patients is not increased, but we are very much mistaken if, in the course of a month or two, this is not doubled. The Committee must bear in mind that the pound subscription entitles patients to admission as a right, and in-addition to this, with the extended accommodation and impi*oved appliances of the new hospital, many such cases as have hitherto been sent to Nelson or been privately treated will now be brought to the Hospital here. With regard to the statement of. a member, that the system of appointing a collector at Greymouth had been tried and found wanting, the cases were by no means analogous. At Grreymouth, the subscribers as here, derived no direct benefit, that is to say, the payment of a subscription as is intended here, did not entitle him to any actual rights or privileges, and he could not in case of

sickness claim-admission as now. The combination of secretary and collector has been customary in the country hospitals of Victoria for many years, and we cannot see how it could work differently here amongst an essentially mining population; With reference to the appointment of sub-committees in outlying places, wo hold that in the first place it is objectionable, and in the second, that the existing committee have no authority whatever to carry out such an idea. It would be objectionable inasmuch as it would raise up other authorities in the management other than the Committee. Either the Committee must admit the subcommittees to equal powers and privileges with themselves, or their appointment would be practically useless. If they adopt the former course, jealousy and discontent would inevitably ensue ; if the latter, the sub-committees would be ciphers, and as such would not care to greatly exert themselves. The right of the Committee to appoint sub-committees we utterly deny. If these are to be, the subscribers in each district, and not the Committee, should select them. Look at the matter in whichever way you may, and there is difficulty, and this may be at once obviated by the appointment of a collector. In making these remarks we have not the least wish to take exception to whatever course the Committee may think fit to adopt, but at the same time would suggest that before finally deciding the matter they may well weigh the arguments on either side. If they adopt the Victorian system, they adopt one that has been tried for years, and has been found all that could be desired: if they adopt the ultra volunteer svstem, they may find that they can be " a penny wise and pound foolish." "Whichever course they may follow no one can doubt the excellence of their intentions, but notwithstanding this they may yet be guilty of an error in judgment, which, if it so turn out, would be far better avoided.