THE HOSPITALS LEVY.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 167, 16 July 1924, Page 7

THE HOSPITALS LEVY.

LOCAL BODIES' DIFFICULTY. COMPLAINT AGAINST DEPARTMENT. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WHANGAREI, this day. At the Whangarei Hospital Board meeting a letter was received from Dr. T. H. A. Valintine, Director-General of Health, asking whether the Board required authority for an overdraft of £3000. It was estimated that if contributory local bodies paid in their levies there should be no need for the Board to overdraw. This letter drew caustic criticism of the Valuation Department as far as Auckland was concerned from Mr. W. Jones. He declared that there was absolutely no question but that j every contributory local body recognised fully its responsibility to pay. The position was, however, that councils and boards were unable to send out rate demands until after the valuation rolls had been received back from Aucklanll. Instancing Whangarei County Council, ho said that rate, notices had not been sent out simply because the Valuation Department at Auckland was at fault. 1 Had the rolls been returned, rate notices ! would have been sent out some time ago ! and the Council wonld have been reccivi ing some return with which to meet payment to the Hospital Board. If demand wore made he had no doubt that contributory local bodies would meet their obligations from overdraft, but, on behalf of all local bodies, he made a protest against the slowness of the Department in Auckland. The local Valuation Office was not o blame. "■ Mr. J. N. I. McKay suggested that tho subject be embodied in a remit to the forthcoming conference of the Hospital Board delegates. That course was decided upon, and the Board also decided to apply for authority to overdraw to the extent of £3000.