Original Correspondence.

To the Editor of "The New Zealand Advertiser & Bay of Islands Gazette."

Sir,—I will not take up your space by any lengthened communication,—but may I request permission to express the feeling with which I first set my foot on the shores of the Bay of Islands? I am very well aware that most persons who become Colonists are influenced altogether by necessity or by the desire of gain; nor will I deny that some feelings of this kind were very strong in my own mind. They were not strong enough, however, to prevent certain very elevated emotions from crowding in upon me when I first saw this place. The fact is, I shall never, under any circumstances, cease to be an admirer of the beauties of nature. I certainly do admire these hills and glens, and this winding bay, which, from certain points, looks like a series of lakes, crowded with green islands and promontories. Nor is my admiration yet diminished. Whether it ever will be, may depend upon my discovery of other spots more beautiful than this.—I am, Sir, your obedient servant, C. A.

Shipping Intelligence.

ARRIVALS.
June 15—Barque Bengal Merchant, Captain Heniery, 500 tons, from the Thames.
June 16—The France, American whaler, Captain Doyle.
June 17—Schooner Trent from the Thames.

DEPARTURES EXPECTED.
The Bengal Merchant on Sunday next for Sydney.
The schooner Ariel sails to day for the Southward.
The schooner Susanna Ann sailed last night for Sydney.

We greatly regret the imperfect state of our Shipping Report at present, but we are making arrangements by which we expect in a week or two to furnish our readers with correct information.

GENERAL HOSPITAL.

A meeting of the Inhabitants of Kororarika, and the Bay of Islands generally, took place at Wood’s Hotel, Kororarika, on Thursday, 20th ult., to take into consideration the propriety of instituting a General Hospital for that District. His Excellency Captain W. Hobson kindly took the Chair at 12 o'clock, when there were present between thirty and forty of the Inhabitants.

His Excellency briefly stated to the meeting the object which brought them together. He believed that all parties were unanimous that humanity demanded the Institution of an Hospital. He, therefore, proposed at that meeting to consider the most eligible situation for that Establishment, and leave the consideration of the details to a future day. His Excellency said he would read from the Chair the proposed Regulations for the establishment, for the consideration of which there would be an opportunity before the next meeting; and he took that occasion to say, that if the contemplated Hospital was not erected at the new settlement of Russell, it would be out of his power to lend to it his support or the support of Government. The settlement of Russell being the principal Town of the district, would, unquestionably, be the most populous, and the Custom-House and other Government Establishments would attract to it the greater portion of trade and shipping; it therefore followed, that a greater number of persons would derive benefit from that location for an Hospital, than from any other in the Bay of Islands. To this it was only necessary to add, that Dr. Davies had exerted himself in that cause, and collected for it subscriptions to the amount of nearly one hundred pounds, which would be available only if the Hospital were built at Russell.

The following propositions were then read to the meeting:

• It may be inferred that the principal resort of seamen, for whose benefit it is, for the most part, intended, will be where the Custom House is situated. The Hospital, therefore, should be erected wherever the Custom-House is established, and should be vested in Trustees.
• That the affairs of the Hospital should be regulated by a "Committee of management," to be elected by the Subscribers at a General Meeting, one-third of whom should retire from office every year, but be eligible for re-election.
• That half-yearly meetings of the Subscribers be held, to examine the Accounts and transact other business. Quarterly meetings of the Committee to be held for general purposes.
• That a law once enacted shall not be altered without the consent of two-thirds of the persons who may be present at the General meeting; and that the General meeting may be called by a simple majority of the Committee, or by twelve Subscribers, and that at least one month’s notice of it shall be given through the medium of the public Press.
• That the Medical Practitioners resident in the place where the Hospital may be erected be invited to render their gratuitous services to take charge of the Medical and Surgical duties of the Establishment, each for one quarter of a year, in succession, and that a Dispenser, not only qualified to dispense Medicines, but also, to perform some of the minor operations of surgery, be appointed and paid. This person must reside in the Hospital.
• That measures be taken to secure subscriptions, and that the Health Officer, whose duty it will be to board ships, be requested to invite the Captains, Officers and crews of ships arriving at the Bay of Islands, to contribute to the support of this Establishment.
• That some Gentleman, a member of the Committee, be requested to act as Secretary.
• That the Committee shall be free to appoint a Treasurer, in whose hands shall be placed a limited sum of money for current expenses.
• That the general funds of the Institution be vested in Trustees, and that a Board of Audit be appointed, to examine the accounts before they are presented to each quarterly meeting of the Committee.

His Excellency then informed the Meeting, that he was ready to hear what any individual had to say.

In answer to some observations upon the preference his Excellency was to give the Town of Russell over Kororarika, His Excellency observed, that he hoped and expected soon to see the Town of Russell in a most prosperous and flourishing condition, with a large population, and he trusted that the Town of Kororarika would keep pace with its neighbour in wealth and prosperity.

The thanks of the meeting were then given to His Excellency for his condescension in presiding over the meeting.

On the Thursday following, the adjourned meeting took place at the same Hotel, and His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor not being present, Dr. Davies was voted to the Chair. We have not room to detail the conversation which took place among many present, and during which the following Resolutions were unanimously adopted, from which our Readers will sufficiently gather the sense of the meeting:

• Moved by Mr. Brodie, seconded by Mr. Turner: That the Hospital be at Kororarika.
• Moved by Mr. Perry, and seconded by Mr. Spicer: That a subscription list be opened for the purpose.
• Moved by Mr. Scott, seconded by Mr. Brodie: That a provisional Committee of seven be appointed, viz.: Mr. Spicer, Mr. Turner, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Perry, Dr. Pollen, Dr. Davies, Mr. Brodie, to transact all necessary business till next meeting.
• Moved by Mr. Edney, seconded by Mr. Spicer: That the Kororarika Association be requested to apply their funds to this purpose.
• Moved by Mr. Brodie, seconded by Mr. Capel: That the thanks of the meeting be presented to Bishop Pompallier, for his kind grant of ten acres of land for the site of the Hospital.
• Moved by Dr. Pollen, seconded by Mr. Scott: That a Letter be written to His Excellency the Lieut. Governor, requesting his approbation of the proceedings of this meeting, and that a Deputation wait on his Excellency with the same, viz.: Bishop Pompallier, Dr. Pollen, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Brodie.
• Moved by Mr. Spicer, seconded by Mr. Brodie: That the Committee meet on Monday, at 12 o’clock, at Dr. Davies’ house, to transact business generally.
• Moved by Mr. Scott, seconded by Mr. Brewer: That this meeting be adjourned till 12 o'clock this day fortnight.
• Moved by Mr. M’Donald, seconded by Mr. Scott: That the thanks of the meeting be given to Dr. Davies.

At the meeting, Dr. Johnson said that he was instructed to state, that though His Excellency would be precluded, by the necessary support he felt bound in every respect to give to the Town of Russell, from aiding in any way the establishment of the Hospital at Kororarika, he wished it nevertheless to be understood, that he was actuated by no private feeling of opposition to it; on the contrary, he wished continued prosperity to Kororarika.

After the second Resolution was moved, a subscription was immediately entered into, which has been largely increased since that day.

We had almost forgotten to state, that an intimation was thrown out on the part of His Excellency, that it was desirable that a road should be formed between the two Townships, and some kind of proposition was made to that effect. This gave rise to a rather desultory conversation, which led to a strongly expressed wish that the road from one extremity of the Beach of Kororarika to the other, should be improved; and some who were present immediately stated their determination to contribute their full share towards this object. We are glad to see that some of the inhabitants are fulfilling this determination.

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