Chapter XX.
THE HOSPITAL—MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS.
HOSPITAL.
FEW records are available and dates given are approximate. It was situated upon the Hospital Reserve, off Darkie’s Terrace Road; was erected in 1867 at a cost of £400, and closed about 1910, the building being let, then sold, and later destroyed by fire.
An official report of October, 1867, says: “The hospital at Charleston is just about finished, and will soon be ready for the reception of patients.”
The cost of the building, and of its staffing and maintenance, was partly met by public subscriptions, fees, and the proceeds of public gatherings, concerts, etc., arranged for the purpose (e.g., the sports-picnics and the side-shows thereat) and partly by Government subsidies. Some of the Provincial Council or Government subsidies to “Charleston and Brighton Hospital” were: 1869—£900; 1870—£750; 1872—£580; 1873—£600; 1874—£550; 1875—£500; 1876—£336/13/4; 1877—£333/6/8. In April, 1877, the Colonial Secretary intimated that the subsidy would be paid until June of that year, but that legislation would be introduced “handing hospitals over to the control of Borough and County Councils.” In December, 1877, the Hospital Board was informed that subsidies would, “pending legislation,” be on a £1 for £1 basis.
In the year 1876-1877 the average weekly number of patients treated was 31⁄8. From the beginning (1867) an annual subscription system was arranged whereby subscribers received free accommodation and treatment when required. It is said that a few regularly “took a rest” there, in order to
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