HOSPITAL MATTERS-Mr COHEN IN EXPLANATION.

Inangahua Times, Volume II, Issue II, 19 April 1880, Page 2

HOSPITAL MATTERS-Mr COHEN IN EXPLANATION.

[TO THB KDITOB INANGAHtTA TIMES.] Sib, — I frankly acknowledge the courtesy of Mr Cohen in so promptly furnishing the public with what is doubtless meant for the explanation sought for in your columns tbe other day; but let me ask Mr Cohen does he seriously intend that his letter should be taken as explaining the difference between the statement as to cost of Hospital rations made at the public meeting (now reiterated by himself) and that set forth in the published balance- sheet, Mr Cohen says that " a careful and mo3t minute investigation was marie, and from the result arrived at he has no hesitation in stating that from the Ist April to the 30th September, theejst of maintenance — exclusive of medical comforts— does not exceed 14s 51 per head," and for the lat tersix months of the year he has no reason for supposing that the rate would be a'tered, Tbe 'oalance'sheet pnts it at £1 11« 3d. What then has becomo of theotbor J6s lOJ 'he "discrepancy." Fn nthev words, the cost of rations n^c^nling to Mr Cohen's sta'emf-nt should be (in round nuTib^rs) £220, for tho year— it is £472. How has the difference, £252, been epe&t, and on what 9 Mr Coben ;says that owing to the rather faulty classification of the different beads of expenditure in the printed forms sent down t?y Government there are .many items charged to account of rations which do not properly belong to it. This may be admitted, and a considerable margin allowed for such extraneous articles ; but "< bat 'these should amount to the large ainn I liiu'o mentioned is, I was about to use Mr Coheu's own ex^rcs^ion, and say, " monstrous," but I will say strange, passing strunge. Like Mr Coben, I have no desire to prolong aa uoprofitable dis«

cussion, and had his explanation really explained ahythiOg i should not, have written another line on the subject: In this direction he yolunteers us some notice: he "would strongly urge that further cotatneut should cease." Mr Cohen will pardon for suggesting that in his position this is sliahUy disingenuous. If the actions of the Hospital Committee will bear scrutiny, if they have been uniformly imj-artial, straightforward, and honourable, why " comment " and inquiry should but make these admirable qualities shine with the brighter lustre. He says it should be borne in mind that " the Hospital is here to afford relief to any who may require it regardless of nationality." Why then were such desperate exertions made at the late election to exclude a section of the corntaunity from, I might 9ay, any represen- ' tation on Ibe present. comtniUes, and win was such contemptible trickery resorted to, to secure that cesult. Every one must agree with Mr Cohen that it is the duty of every right thinking man to aid the advancement of such sm institution &s the Hospital, instead of endeavouring to •• prejudice the minds of subscribers against it." I will add that no more certain method could be adopted or better calculated to prejudice the mind of ony fair thinking man against subscribing, and of utterly discrediting the whole management of the institution, than were the tactics adopted at the election of the present committee,— l am, sir, &c, SUBSCHIBEK. Eeefton, 17th April, 1880.