PUBLIC COLLECTION.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18571, 22 December 1925, Page 15

PUBLIC COLLECTION.

HOSPITALS AND ORPHANAGES. Christmas time has always teen iecoznised as a part of the year dedicated more than any other to the <*»W«*»And while laughter and fun will hold court in homes of children living with She? parents, it must be "inembero'l that there are other children. m lew. fortunate circumstances who -miL>t tic pond on charity fo r their n-easure o* Christmas Joy. In order that tho.e children may have and enjoy in a mactical way the sympathy felt for them hv practically every member ot tne community, the Rotary Club has organised a collection fo r distribution aflionfc the children in the Hospital aM different Orphanages on. Christinas morning. For the convenience of all who will support this charitable. movement, a tent will be erected in the Sriuare on the Cathedral grounds, AYeclnesday and Thursday, December 23rd and 24th, for receiving cash donations or toys and hooks—not necessarily new. 'Everything suitable for Christmas Gifts to children will be welcome and will help'to brighten Christmas for these unfortunate children. jobs are finished it will be possible to compare the costs ot each method. I No fewer than 91 separate accounts of expenditure in the shops arc kept, as well as 5700 stocks items accounts. It would be impracticable to publish these in a concise balance-sheet, although not impossible. The main totals are given as is the usual custom elsewhere. The Association also asks for receipts. As the workshop is not a trading department, it makes no sales, therefore, it does not keep such an account. Costs of all jobs are, however, kept. It the Association's committee will accept an invitation to visit the works, I thin* thev will agree with me that the ratepayers have a very desirable property and plant. Operating Costs. A very exhaustive analysis was made a year ago. Costs of various sections of each department in 1909 were taken, when none of the present officers were in their present.executive positions, and when few of the present members of the Board were in office. Adjustments for increase in and cost of materials were made, and the results compared with to-day. Similar comparisons were made with 1914, and the cost of other undertakings were also examined in detail. Operating costs were criticised from every possible angle, and were found to compare favourably with those of other comparable systems, and very favourably in some cases The General Manager more than onee asked, in view of some public comments, that this should also ho submitted to outside investigation, but the members of the Board did not adopt the suggestion. .... Whilst the ratepayers have a right to make suggestions, or to ask for information on tramway matters—which the Board is pleased to give them—l am sure that they will realise that certain questions must be left to the Board it being in the best position to come to a decision on many matters-in connexion with the system After some comments on the matters raised by * he Association by Mr D. Syies, the Board approved the memorandum