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Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 518, 17 June 1869, Page 2

At the end of the first year of its existence and management as a joint G-overnment and public institution, an appeal is again made to the inhabitants of this district on behalf of the port Hospital. Subscribers in the sub-districts, as well as in the town, will bo waited upon by committees who have been appointed for the purpose, and it will, no doubt, coincide with their feelings, as it will with the interests of the institution, to have not only the original subscriptions renewed, but to have as many fresh additions to the list of subscribers as the liberality of the public may enable them to procure. The necessities of the institution are not, this year, so extensive as they were at its beginning as a partially publicly-supported Hospital. There is not any longer the same weighty charge upon the funds of the institution as there has been during the current year, when the commodious Hospital wliich now exists had to be erected, and when great part of the outlay was of a preliminary and exceptional character. Still there are requisites to the completeness of the new Hospital which it is highly desirable should be provided, and it can only bo anticipated that, even upon the shelter of the Hospital, and upon the services of the surgeon superintendent, there will be as great a demand during the year ensuing as there has been during the past few months. One desideratum, to render the accommodation of the hospital complete, is the fencing of some of the adjacent ground as a place of recreation for convalescents, or for the cultivation of the few natural ornaments or vegetable delicacies which, in connection with such an institution, are not without a salutary hygienic effect. It is possible, also, that the Hospital building might be improved by the formation of wards or by other outward additions. But without contemplating these it is desirable to procure as large a subsidy from the Government as possible. The amount on the Estimates for the purpose was £9OO, and as that amount is given in the proportion of two thirds to every third subscribed, to ensure its payment the sum of £3OO would require to be raised. With this liberal allowance presenting itself as an inducement to subscription, with the knowledge which the miners must have of the good service which has been especially afforded by the institution to their section of the community, and with the better understanding which now fortunately prevails as to the terms upon wliich patients are admitted, it would be ungenerous to have any misgivings as to the result of tho canvass now being made. We do not expect to hoar again of any misconception as to the terms upon which subscriptions are solicited, and wo do not anticipate that there will be other than an expression, through the practical pecuniary assistance given, of satisfaction with the management of the institution so far as its history has gone.