John Allen, who did not retain it long, and who is best known in our early history as an active originator of thefirstGas Company. A provision for "paying patients" was one of the articles of the programme approved by the original meeting yvhen the Hospital yvasfirstmooted, in March, 1841, and some such project was always favourably regarded by the public. T h e subject had been often revived, but the more pressing difficulties surrounding the inception of the Hospital kept it in abeyance. It was n o w renewed with so m u c h force in the newspapers, and otherwise, that the Committee of Management yvas forced to consider it, which yvas done at a special meeting, held for the purpose on the 14th June, 1850. A proposition was m a d e to set apart a ward sufficienttoaccommodate ten "paying patients," but the unanimous opinion yvas that it was undesirable to make any change, considering the limited dimensions of the building ; but in order to meet the wishes of such persons as desired to try the experiment, it was resolved to open a subscription to provide funds for the erection of a separate wing or ward in furtherance of such an object. The following month the posts of Resident Apothecary and Matron becoming vacant, from among thirty applicants, a Mr. and Mrs. Stone, neyvly landed from England, were chosen at salaries of ^ 6 0 and ^"35 per annum, with board and quarters. In January, 1851, the usual Annual Meeting was'held, and from the Committee's report of the res geslce of 1850, it would appear that there had been 189 admissions during the year, consisting of 148 males and 41 females, 84 having c o m e from the country and 105 being residents of and about Melbourne. T h e cures effected were 67, relieved 38, died 36, discharged or left of own accord 10, and remaining 38. In March the Committee had on hand ,£300 which they temporarily invested for the benefit of the Institution. One-half of this was no doubt the bequest of the M r . Hart, before noted. In M a y there was another change in the management of the dispensary by the appointment of Mr. Joseph Lewis; Mr. E. B. Greene became Honorary Secretary, and a M r . William Love, Secretary and Clerk. T h e Committee appeared to have worked zealously and with m u c h success throughout this year, as will be gathered from the periodical report brought up by Mr. (afterwards Sir R.) Barry, at the Annual Meeting in January, 1852. Additions and alterations to the building had been effected, but through certain deviations from the plans, the estimate of ,£460 had been m u c h exceeded, as the works cost ,£680 14s. R o o m for 26 more patients had been provided, and an improved system of ventilation and drainage secured. ^ 1 6 2 5s. 6d. had gone in the necessary outfit, and the Hospital was n o w in a state to receive and relieve 66 male and 14 female inmates. In May, 1851, the Committee remitted to England £ 140, for the purchase of drugs, surgical instruments, and apparatus. T h e grounds attached had been enclosed, trenched, and laid out, the unsightly irregularities of the surface levelled, trees planted, seeds of ornamental shrubs sown, walks formed, and "the means of healthful exercise and recreation afforded to the convalescent patients." T h e In-patients for 1851, in addition to 29 males and 9 females, i.e., 38, remaining in the house on thefirstJanuary were—males, 183; females, 3 7 ; total, 2 5 8 ; whilst the Out-patients numbered 118 males, and 41 females. All claims had been liquidated, except ,£8 8s. 6 d , not presented in time, and the balance of ordinary revenue at close ofthe year was ^ 3 2 4 9 s. 8 d , besides ^"300, decided to be invested permanently at interest on real property security. T h e amount applicable to maintenance for 1852, was ^,324 ps. 3d. T h e total number of patients treated at the Hospital for four years after its opening was :— Year
- In-patients. Out-patients. 89 1849 1850 1851
197 222 2
5§
93
•••
•••
123 i34 159
T h e marvellous changes during thirty years in the Melbourne Hospital m a y be imagined after a perusal ofthe report ofthe Charity for the year 1881 :— T h e amount received from subscriptions and sundry sources, and inclusive of £ 2 3 1 5 13s. 7d. from the Committee of the Hospital Sunday Fund, was ^ 7 1 7 8 ios, 2d, to which must be added the Parliamentary grant of ^ i 4 , 5 0 0 , making a total income of ,£21,678 16s. 2d. for the purpose of maintenance.
