Mr Grahams Version.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2133, 11 March 1886, Page 3

Mr Grahams Version.

TO THB EDITOR. Sik,— At last night's meeting nf burge&ses re the Hamilton loan, •iccasati»iis) were made agiinst myself that I had not acted in acoidanee uith the agreement entered into with the Council of Waikato ;md others re the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Act. I am of opinion that the great outburst of public feeling i-i as against the charitable aid portion of the Act, and not as against the hospitals. I undeistand the United Board to lepresent charitable aid and hospitals, but tho District Board to apply to hospital* only. So long as there was any doubt upon the matter in the minds of the Auckland Board, I considered we were acting, and aie still acting, in concert to rev uo the operations ot a mea^urr which Mr Seddon named the Pauper Incubating Act, but it was when advised that the town representatives had resolved that they could not, and would not act in regard to the charitable aid portion, that is that they were only makiug payment on account of the geneial hospitals, that I signified my assent to contribute to hospitals. If any mistake lias been made it has been under misapprehension, and not from any wish to retire from a compact. But I feel bound to state that from the very first, not only by expressions made public by individual members, or delegates from various local bodies, but also from almost all with whom I have com ci bed upon the matter, there wab no objection whatever to the hospital poition of the Act. For some time I have been endeavouring to rouso Wnikato to unite, sink their petty jealousies and have their own hospital, but have met with no response. On the contrary I have always been met by opinions that our policy was to support the ho.-pital in Auckland. Some definite action must be taken as I am advisod that the district Board can recover legally the demands made upon us. Apart from this the Hospital stands di-tinct frotn chaiitable aid, as although people in destitute circiunbtances could be made shift, the sick and maimed dare n t bc left in peril by passive inaction of public bodies, should a casualty occur owing to the nnfoitunate position of affairs between the cential authorities and the outlying dL-tiicts, which might lead to patients bcekine admission to the hospital from non-contributing districts being refused admittance. It is evident some more definite course of action should be taken to prevent further misunderstanding, and therefore I would suggest that the Waikato Council call the representatives of various public bodies together to come to some common understanding as to the best couise to pursue.— l am, Sir, yours faithfully, William A. Graham. Hamilton, March 10, 1886.