CHAPTER XVIII.
OLD MELBOURNE CHARITIES.
SYNOPSIS: —Rules and Regulations. —Code of "Proposed Principles." —Early Difficulties. —Governor Gipps refuses a Site. —Subsequent Grant of Site. —The Governor's "Atonement" and Cheque for Fifty Pounds. —Hospital Concert. —Selection of Site. —Laying the Foundation Stone. —A Monster Procession. —A Masonic Oration. —Higher Principles of Masonry. —The Mayor's Address. —First Contract. —First Committee of Management. —Convocation of Governors. —The First Medical Staff. —Death of Dr. Hobson. —Opening of the Hospital. —First Hospital Scandal. —Insanity of Mr. J. H. Umpleby. —Annual Report for 1848. —Statistics for 1848. —Receipts and Expenditure for 1848. —Entertainment to Sir Charles Fitzroy. —The Governor's Donation. —Robbery at the Hospital. —Annual Report for 1849. —The Annual Report of 1850-1851. —Number of Patients, 1848-1851. —Marvellous Changes during Forty Years. —Report for 1881. —Hospital Sunday Fund. —Receipts and Expenditure. —Report and Statistics for 1887.
The Melbourne Hospital.
FROM an early period, the absence of any recognised mode of affording medical and surgical relief to the destitute was much felt, and the first great work undertaken by the philanthropic public was an effort to raise some kind of permanent institution which would, even partially, satisfy the requirements of those whose limited means rendered them unable to pay for private medical advice and treatment. The first step taken towards attaining so desirable an object, was at a public meeting, called for the establishment of a Public General Hospital, in Melbourne, by the following gentlemen:— J. Simpson, J.P.; F. M'Crae, J. P.; P. B. Geoghegan; W. H. Dutton, J.P.; J.Patterson, M.D.; Arthur Kemmis, J.P.; P. W. Welsh; W. B. Wilmot, M.D.; J. B. Were, J.P.; D. Patrick, M.D.; D. H. Wilsone, M.D.; J. Meyer, M.D.; A. C. Thomson; James Forbes.
This meeting was held accordingly on the 1st March, 1841, with Mr. Latrobe, Superintendent of the Province, in the Chair, and the undermentioned resolutions were agreed to :—
Moved by Mr. Thomas Wills, J.P., seconded by the Rev. A. C. Thomson—
Resolved:— "That it appears to this meeting that the rapid increase of population in Melbourne and the surrounding country, naturally involving a proportionate increase of cases of sickness, accidents, and distress, renders necessary the immediate establishment of a Public Hospital, for the purpose of affording to patients clean and comfortable accommodation, regular medical attendance, and the means of attention to diet and regimen."
Moved by Dr. M'Crae, seconded by Dr. Wilsone—
Resolved:— "That steps be forthwith taken to establish a Public Hospital in Melbourne, to be called The Melbourne Hospital, the design of which shall be to admit both contributing and non-contributing patients."
Moved by Mr. G. Arden, seconded by Dr. Greeves:—
Resolved:— "That when the subscriptions for the erection of an Hospital shall amount to £800 a general meeting of the subscribers shall be convened, who shall be empowered to frame rules and regulations for the government of the Institution, in accordance with the regulations passed, and that, in the mean time, the proposed principles upon which they shall be founded, as read, be published for general information, and that a Provisional Committee and Treasurer be now named to collect donations, and carry out the objects of the present meeting."
Moved by the Rev. P. B. Geoghegan, seconded by Mr. R. Burke:—
Resolved:— "That subscriptions be immediately opened at the banks to raise funds for the erection of an Hospital, and that the following gentlemen be appointed as a Provisional Committee, with power to add to their number, and that five form a quorum, to continue in office till the sum of £800 has been
