HOSPITAL MATTERS.

Inangahua Times, Volume II, Issue II, 16 April 1880, Page 2

HOSPITAL MATTERS.

.. ■ ■» >P n .... (To THB EDITOR InANOaHITA TIMES.) Sib,— < Amid all tbe noise and din which baye been made with regard to our Hospital management— assertions on the ODe ; side of extravagance, And on the other of the most rigid ecounmy-— it has not up to the present come under roy notice that either side has even attempted to support their statements by the slightest proof. We are for instance told by our tolerant and liberal friend, the Herald, in referring to the matter, that " It should now be admitted on all sides that its internal economy has thoroughly s'ood the test of a vigorous and unexpected investigation and has not been found wanting." Well, it may be so ; but will it he considered unreasonable that the sub' scribing public should look for some other and further guarantee for tbe " fact" than its bare statement »n the leading columns of the Herald P It was stated at the Annual Meeting that the average cost of patients was 14s 6d per head per week for rations. The state* ment wa« not denied, and in reply to a question the doctor said that in his i opinion tbe sum stated, if correct, was a reasonable cost. Now, if we turn to the Annual Report we find that the total j number of patients under treatment for the past year was 56, and that their average stay in the Hospital was 37$ days'. The published statement of accotints shows us that the cost of • rations ' for the same period was £472 Ss 3d. NW, assuming these figures to be correct, 'he average cost per patient has been, not 143 6d per head per week, but £1 11s 3d and a fraction. Whence this discrepancy? Will the Committee explain P Will that shining light of tbe Committee. Mr James Connolly, ex plfiin P Will anybody esplaiu P I say nothing here of the personel of the new Committee, nor of the me>ips u*e<l to place the gentlemen, or some of them there ; of tbe printed oards for the guidance of those who might not know the correct tioket ; or the block vote. Of the joyful exultation of the Herald at (ho exclusion of some of the members of the lute Gotnmitte, or of the unconcealed bigotry of Mr Connolly.— Of these and suoh like matters, I bere say nothing, because su<'h things will gradually but surely find their level. But since the past management of the Hosj.il-»1 ha« been advanced as the alUsufik'ieot j isli fication of the late eleoi ion, with all its queer conoomitants, it is right that (he public wbo subscribe should know the basis upon which the much talked of I economy rests. I am, &c, SUBSCRIBES. Eeefton, April 15th, 18S0,