WEST COAST NEWS HOSPITAL COSTS

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21904, 3 October 1936, Page 5

WEST COAST NEWS

HOSPITAL COSTS

CHARGE ON RATEPAYERS REPLY OF MINISTER FOB HEALTH The Government was desirous that there should be an equitable sharing of the cost of hospitable and charitable aid as between contributions from local rates and general taxes, said the Hon. P. Fraser, Minister for Health, in reply to representations made by Mj? _J" O’Brien, M.P., for the Greymouth Borough Council and the Kumara Borough The representations made by _Mr O’Brien suggested that there should be an early review of hospital administration to relieve ratepayers of part or all the contributions now made towards hospital board expenditure. Careful regard must be paid to the division of administrative responsioility and control of hospitals anu allied services, continued Mr Fraser. It was also recognised that the apportionment of contributions in respect of these services had to be considered in relation to the demands made on rates and taxes, especially concerning other public services. Several measures already or shortly to be inaugurated would undoubtedly have the direct effect of relieving local rates and of increasing the charges upon the consolidated fund in respect of socuu services. ■ As the councils were probably aware an important question at present receiving the Government’s attention was that of national health insurance, and propos£Ss about this were regarded as having a definite bearing on the question of both local body and Government contributions for hospital purposes. He regretted that he could not agree with the suggestion that the ratepayers should be relieved of their fair share of hospital costs.

CRICKET

ASSOCIATION ARRANGES OPENING GAMES OFFICERS ELECTED,FOR YEAR A decision to begin the season’s fixtures on Saturday, October 17, and Sunday, October 18, was made by the West Coast Cricket Association ,at its annual meeting on night. Mr J. Paterson was in the chair. Nominations for seni ® r ,. and Sunday), junior, and third grades will close on Monday, October 12, A request from the Christchurch Suburban Association for the association’s opinion of a representative match between the two associations during the coming season was referred to the management committ6G. It was decided to apply to .the Borough Council for the use of the recreation ground and Karoro Domain, to the Technical High School Board for the use of the school ground, to the Rugby Union for the use of a ground at Rugbr Park, the Rugby League for the use of Wingham Park, and the Jockey Club for the use of a wicket at Omoto racecourse. , A proposal by Mr G. Howes that the association should assist clubs in the collection of subscriptions by not considering unflnancial members for representative teams was endorsed, and clubs are to advise the association of members unflnancial by December 1. A suggestion by Mr H. S. Nightingale that each club should supply a ball for each match was referred to the management committee for consideration. j The election of officers resulted:— Patron, Dr. W. McKay; president, Mr W. E. Reynolds; vice-presidents; Messrs J. O’Brien, M.P., A. H. Greenwood, J.. Paterson, J. Cornish, sen.; chairman of executive, Mr J. Cornish, sen.; delegate to New Zealand Council, Mr T. W. Reese; auditor, Mr F. H. Denton; selector, Mr W. Barlow; management committee, Messrs J. Cornish, jun., '. Mathews, M. Marshall, I. Mcßain, G. Howes, L. Coffey, and O. Morris; secretary. Mr D. Jarvis, treasurer, Mr H. S. Nightingale; groundsman, Mr W. Barlow.

ADOPTION OF HEALTH REGULATIONS

grey county council meets A request from Mr T. E. Schou, district inspector of health, that the county should adopt the Department or Health regulations was received by the Grey County Council at its monthly meeting on Thursday night. It was decided to refer the regulations to the engineer for further consideration and a report at the next meeting. Mr J. Ryall was in the chair. nnnM _ _, Accounts amounting to £2353 5s od were passed for payment. The Public Works Department forwarded authority for the expenditure of £390 on Waterfall Creek bridge. The subsidy would be £2 for £l. Authority was also given for the expenditure of £7O on Welshman’s road. The Main Highways Board advised that it was prepared to protect the Barry town road from erosion provided the council would pay £l5O towards the cost The chairman said that at the opening of the Waimakariri bridge he had agreed to find that sum. His action was approved. ; No action was taken about a claim by J. D. Brosnan for £282 15s 6d for land taken for road purposes. The chairman said that it was for the claimant to take the next step.

JOCKEY CLUB

FINANCES SAID TO BE SATISFACTORY ADDITIONAL DATES SECURED FOB GREYMOUTH The satisfactory financial position of the Greymouth Jockey Club was commented on by the president of the club, Mr t. E. Coates, at the annual meeting of the club yesterday afternoon. He said the committee was encouraged to go on with the erection of the new grandstand. Satisfactory financial arrangements had been made, and he • hoped by Christmas to seethe stapfi sufficiently advanced to afford to patrons the necessary accommodation. ■ An additional date for racing.for the season had been obtained,, Mr Coates continued, and it, was hoped to hold a race .meeting on June 19. . The election of officers resulted: — President, Mr T. E. Coates; committee, Messrs A. Beban, J. W. Hannan. A. Smith, G. R. Barker, H. Moore, H. D. James, C. L. Kettle, W, Greenhill, H. J. Bignell, G. Blair, W. Gieseking, W. H. Parfitt; auditor. Mr C. H. Rose.

DEATH OF MOTORCYCLIST ,

CHARGE AGAINST DRIVER OF CAR COMMITTED TO SUPREME COURT FOR TRIAL On a charge of negligently Reiving a motor-car thereby causing the death of William Ramsay Burt, John Cyril O’Donnell, aged- 27 years, a trucker, was committed to the Supreme Court at Greymouth by Mr H. Morgan, S.M., in the Greymouth Magistrate’s Court yesterday. O’Donnell was also committed to the Supreme Court for trial on a charge of failing to stop and ascertain whether he had injured Burt, and failing to give him all practical assistance. O’Donnell, for whom Mr J. W. Hannan appeared, pleaded not guilty to, both charges. , ,' After lengthy evidence had given, the magistrate held that there was sufficient evidence to commit accused to the Supreme Court. _ Bail was allowed in one surety by self of £250, and another of £250 "or two of £125 each. Accused has to report to the police three times a The inquest into the death of Burt was held concurrently with the trial. The coroner returned a verdict that Burt died from a fracture of the base of the skull, which was caused by a collision between a motor-car driven' by O’Donnell and a motor-cycle ridden by Burt ,in High street on August 29. As accused had been committed for trial, Mr Morgan said that as coroner he did not intend to make any comment on the evidence. CHILDREN’S FANCY DRESS •;;> • DANCE •• - -- GATHERING AT MURCHISON An enjoyable was held at the Murchison Public Hall last week, when a children’s fancy dress ball was organised by the Longford Womens Institute. Promptly at 8 o clock children from all parts of the district assembled, and until nine o’clock they thoroughly enjoyed themselves with dancing and games, and community singing led by Mr T. Gillooly. .In the grand march a wonderful variety of costumes paraded, there being so many entrants that the judges were obliged to take them in sections, according to the children’s ages. Prize-winners m the various sections were as follows: Six to eight years: Natalie Peacock (Pierrot), Bill Oxnara (Red Indian). Eight to 10 years: Joan Broad (Soldier), Henry Rouse (Spanish Musician). Ten to 12 years: Margaret Wyllie (Flower Girl), Ron Boland (Witch). Twelve to 14 years: Joan Wilkinson (Night), Charlie James (Chinese). Fourteen to 16 years: Jackie Arthur (Persian Prince), Jim Thurlow (Popeye). A popular vote was taken among the adult audience to decide the winners of special prizes given for 1 the best costumes in the .halL. The winners Were:—Girls; Sally Thurlow (A Woman’s Work is Never Done) 1, Joan Wilkinson (Fairy Night) 2. Boys: Ron Boland (Witch) 1, Henry Rouse (Spanish Musician) 2. After the judging, the prizes were presented by Mrs Boland, president of the Longford institute. At the conclusion of the children’s evening a dance was carried on for the benefit of the large number of adults present A dainty supper was served and an enjoyable evening was carried on until the early hours. Music for the dancing was played by Mrs Shields with an extra by Miss Iris Hill, and the duties of master of ceremonies were performed by Mr T. Gillooly. WORKMAN’S FOOT BROKEN ACCIDENT ON REEFTONMARUIA ROAD Jack Caldwell, who began work only yesterday on the Reefton-Maruia road received a broken foot when he slipped from a tree which he was cutting. The injured man was brought to Reefton for medical attention. .

ST. MARY’S COLLEGE JUBILEE 1 FETE HELD IN §T- CANICE’S There was a large attendance tat the fete held in St. Canice’s Hall on Thursday afternoon and night for the silver jubilee of St. Mary’s College, The fete was to have taken the- form of a garden party in the Convent grounds, bui the morning’s rain resulted in-a‘deci-sion to set up the various stalls indoors. Brisk business was done -and the financial result was very satisfactory., CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNING WESTPORT TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL HOLDS RACE

There was a big field in the Westport Technical High School’s crosscountry race, which was run on Thursday. The race resulted:—R. R. Crowall 1, R. Neill 2, A. Fox 3. The fastest time was put up by F. Mullooley. ■ ; f ...

MURCHISON PERSONALS

A party was held ait the residence of Mr E. White on the occasion of the twenty-first birthday of Mr R. White. A large number of friends were assembled and-a very enjoyable evening was spent, , „ Mr Mitchell and Miss Jean Mitchell are at ? present spending a holiday in Christchurch. Mr F. McFelin arrived in Murchison last week-end to rtake up a position as winchman on the Mataki Junction dredge.' ' ,» v ' ✓ . ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmrnsm