THE GISBORNE HOSPITAL.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 278, 26 March 1889, Page 2

THE GISBORNE HOSPITAL.

Some oommint hM been made in reference to the financial petition of the Giiborne Hoipitel, the heading with which one of our report! was Mt off, "Proepect of a poor rate,” having perhaps done much towards creating that discussion. It has been said that snob ** sensational ” headings tend to frighten people, and to din)ipish the amount of voluntary subscriptions; but the reverre Mfiht to bo tbs OMS, Thors is nothing so IOOd m arousing people's Interest in the nstltutipni with Which they (the people) are tatefiorsMy ooMomd; it thu« Is any extra.

vagance in the management it may thus be more easily remedied, if the management is of an able and satisfactory nature the public will the better know whose services they have reason to appreciate. In the esse of the Gisborne Hospital Trustees, there is nothing to fear and perhaps much to gain, and this opportunity may be taken to comiliment those to whom has been entrusted ;he management of the institution, upon the satisfactory result of their efforts. The public do not pay enough attention to Hospital affairs, or there would be found a better means of expressing gratification at the management than by not attending the meetings to which they are invited, that is the annual and other meetings. As to the “ prospect of a poor rate,” the statement shows that it is intended to apply to the local bodies this year for a less amount than was found requisite in 1888 ; it is more than that of last year, but the difference may be accounted for by the amount required for repairs and improvements and also by the falling off of voluntary subscriptions. The point which requires to be deeply impressed on the minds of people is that by voluntary contributions they help to avoid the additional expense and odium attached to a poor rate. Instead of a diminution of the voluntary contributions we should like to see them increase so that there would be no call whatever upon the local bodies ; but it would be ruinous in a small place like this to have further cumbrous machinery for collecting purposes. The Secretary plainly states that the system of voluntary support is being gradually undermined, but it is to be hoped this danger may be arrested, for it is a danger to the progress of the district. There appears to have been very careful manage ment during the past year, and it is hoped that there may be a generous response on the next appeal being made to the public.