SATISFACTORY POSITION

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 175, 20 April 1929, Page 6

SATISFACTORY POSITION

WAIRARAPA HOSPITAL BOARD . CHAIRMAN’S REPORT / Masterton, April 19. A comprehensive summary of the Wairarapa Hospital Board’s financial position, and of its activities during the rear, was given in the chairman's report, presented at to-day’s-meeting of the board. At the end of March, the report stated, the general fund account stood in credit to the amount of £3786 Special sums deposited amounted to £705 Ils., while a sum of £2149 was on fixed deposit, a total of £6641 as‘compared with £5lBO as at March 31, 1028. Receipts for the year totalled £39,171, and expenditure amounted to £37,717, which was £lO2B under the actual estimate. Savings effected under the capital account totalled £471, while under ordinary maintenance the net saving was £Bl4. Social welfare work over the whole-district had exceeded the estimate by £437—not an excessive amount considering the stress of circumstances brought about, mainly, by the period of unemployment last winter. Statistics for the three hospitals under the board’s control again showed a considerable increase over last year in the number of patients admitted, totalling, in the aggregate, 1863 persons, as against 1488 for 1927-28. The totals were:—Masterton, 1130: Greytown, 420; Pahiatiia, 313. The daily average of occupied beds for the year were as —Masterton, 74: Greytown. 48; Pahiatua, 15. A noticeable feature, however, was the decrease in the average days’ stay per patient in the'Masterton Hospital—22. The averages for the previous quintennial period had been 26, 27, 29, 29. and 27. The Dominion average for 7927-28 was 22.5.

With regard to the estimates for the ‘ ensuing year, the report stated that the total proposed io be raised by levy and subsidy (not including certain amounts proposed to be expended out of loan and other moneys) was £25,129, as against last year’s total of £28.262—a decrease of £3133. Of this sum the amount to be apportioned am'dngst the contributory local bodies was £14,781. or £1204 less than the preceding year. It was interesting to note that the rate of levy per £1 on the rateable capital value for the Wairarapa was the sixth lowest of all the 47 boards for the year 1927-28. The estimated population of the Wairarapa district at March 3.1, 1929, was 33,965. In adding further comment, the chairman (Mr. W. Fisher) pointed out that it was a matter for congratulation that the rate struck in the Wairarapa was almost the lowest struck in the Dominion. It went to show that the board’s administration had been economical.

The number of patients in one year, Mr. J. F. Thompson pointed out, had increased by 20 per cent., but the expenditure had not increased accordingly. The chairman stated that them were several chronic cases in the Masterton Hospital at present. They should not be there, he considered, for they were occupying beds that should be available for ordinary patients.

Several other members extended congratulations on the excellent position of the board as shown by the report.