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THE COUNTY OF WESTLAND GAZETTE.

Published by Authority.

HOKITIKA, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 1870.

Second half-yearly Report of the Committee of Management of Hokitika Hospital to the Subscribers and Public generally, for the half-year ending 30th June, 1870.

Your Committee beg respectfully to report that during the past half-year they have continued to hold their usual weekly meetings, and that the average attendance of members at the same has been eight. They have studiously watched over the internal and external workings of the Institution, regulating their proceedings at all times with a due regard to efficiency and economy.

The Committee have every reason to congratulate the subscribers and public generally on the present position of the affairs of the Hospital. They also take pleasure in testifying to the able manner in which the Surgeon-Superintendent, appointed at the latter end of the former half-year, has carried on the responsible duties of his post; and are pleased to hear from many sources that his treatment of patients in and out of the Hospital meets with high commendation.

To the Honorary Medical Surgeons—and especially to Dr. Thomas H. Garland—the Committee desire to record a vote of thanks for the valuable assistance and co-operation rendered by them to the Hospital during the period. Also to the many kind gentlemen and friends who from time to time have forwarded donations of books, periodicals, papers, &c., for the use of the inmates of the Hospital.

The Committee have great satisfaction in recording that the whole of the outlying districts have now exerted themselves on behalf of the Institution, and valuable contributions have been received from Stafford, Waimea, Greenstone, Fox’s, and Greek’s Gully, Auckland Beach, &c., &c., during the past half-year, as well as those contributions from other districts already reported.

To the various local committees, the hearty thanks of this Committee is tendered for their exertions and donations; also to H. L. Robinson, Esq., M.C.C., for his handsome benefaction of £54 stg., to the funds on behalf of the Kanieri District. The Committee trust the Hospital will maintain its present popularity amongst the miners and all others, and be equally well supported by them in the coming year as it has been for the past. From the statement of accounts the District Committees will observe the amount it has taken to maintain their several patients during the past year; this will serve as a guide to them as to an approximate amount to be raised for the year now commenced.

The funds of the Institution are in a satisfactory condition, the Committee starting their second year with a balance due by the County Government, and in Bank of New Zealand, of £899 5s 1d, whilst their liabilities in unpaid accounts, &c., are only £444 15s 5d stg. The Treasurer’s financial statements are appended to this report for general information, from which it will be observed that the entire cost of the Institution for the Committee’s first year has been £5392 18s 2d stg., as against £7425 4s 6d stg. for the former Government year. The working of the Committee has thus enabled the institution to be carried on in a high state of efficiency and at a saving to the County and public generally of over £2000 stg. for the year.