HOSPITAL EXPENDITURE.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 304, 22 December 1921, Page 9

HOSPITAL EXPENDITURE.

THAJ-ES-WAIHI SCHEME. _CEtOPP_D FOR l-B PRfiSENTf. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WAIHJ, this day. Replying to a communication from the Waihi Hospital Board on the subject of the proposed amalgamation of Waihi and Thames Hospital Districts, the Minister of Health states that in the event of amalgamation, the status of Waihi Hospital would not be reduced, but the two institutions would be controlled by a 'board elected by the united districts of Thames and Waihi. Owing to the greater valuation and population, representatives of the present TlMMftes District would be in preponderance on the board to the extent of afoout six times as many as those of Waihi. Amalgamation would also mean increasing the present Thames hospital rate by about one-tenth of a penny in the £. The Minister again states that it is not proposed to proceed ih the matter, and that nothing) can be done at present, in regard to the question of subsidies, as the finances of the Government do not permit of the proposed scheme affecting subsidies being introduced. It is recognised, hoWoVef, owing to the financial position of the Waihi Borough, as the sole contributing local 'body to the hospital, that early next year either amalgamation must take place or A substantial grant 'be made by the Department to avert a crisis in hospital matters.