Free Books Ban Saving Opposed

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31378, 25 May 1967, Page 9

Free Books Ban Saving Opposed

A proposal from the finance committee that the board agree in principle to discontinue the issue of free text-books to students training with the board drew criticism and was referred back to the committee when the North Canterbury Hospital Board yesterday discussed various economy measures.

“With the greatly improved salary structure it is felt that this cost could now be borne by the students, but that provision could be for them to buy books through the board’s wholesale channels,” the report stated. The reason given was not the prime reason for the recommendation, said Mr R. G. Armstrong, moving that the clause be referred back.

“Cheeseparing” was the way Mr V. B. Corbett described the proposal. Unless the proposal were made universal, it would put the board at a recruiting disadvantage, be said. “It looks like an Irishman’s rise,” said Mr F. W. Gilbert. Mr Armstrong said that though trainees’ wages had gone up, they had been cut on overtime earnings. The chairman (Dr. L. C. L. Averill) said that the expenditure committee would maintain a close liaison with the staff to effect savings. The board decided to close its domestic staff lodge in Hereford street, Dr. Averill saying that while it had accommodation for 30, this had dropped to 16, with five of a staff to look after them. A wing of the old nurses’ home was being redecorated, and could be used for domestic staff. It was also decided not to

have a stall at the Industries Fair, it being stated that about £lOO plus staff time would be saved. The works committee reported that a survey had been made of the vegetable gardens at the board’s institutions to see if costs could be cut.

It was agred that the Marshland farm should be retained as this was an excellent source of vegetables, that the Jubilee Home garden be further investigated, and that the Coronation Hospital garden be in part grazed or planted in trees. To questions, the secretary (Mr J. G, Laurenson) said that there would be no saving by closing the Marshland farm, especially as it produced early vegetables with a saving in costs. “If the land could be used on a revenue-earning basis to offset costs, we would close it, but rental values in the area are not enough to justify the board letting it go,” he said.

Charges Up.—C hat h a m Island fees were increased to bring them into line with the variations made in the dental department fees from last June. It was stated that the new charges would mean £lOO more in receipts during the annual visit to the islands in June to August. Loan Cut.—lt was reported that authority had been given to raise a loan, but the amount had been cut from £500,000 to £350,000. Approval was also given for the raising of a £lOO,OOO redemption loan.