THE AMBULANCE

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 123, 27 May 1930, Page 14

THE AMBULANCE

LOCAL BODY DONATIONS

PROTEST BY UPPER HUTT

The amounts of tlio contributions made by tbo local bodies towards the Wellington Free Ambulance were questioned by the Upper Hutfc Borough Council last night. Councillors considered that in comparison with Upper Hutt's contribution the amounts given, by some other local bodies were "niggardly."

The matter was introduced by a letter from the Free . Ambulance asking for the'council's consent to the passing of a Bill empowering tho local bodies to contribute towards the Ambulance. Upper Hutt's contribution would be, as in past years, £.100. The Mayor (Mr. P. Robertson) said that the Ambulance was in a satisfactory financial position. He pointed out that the Wellington City Council contributed only £.500, Eastbourne £50, Lower Hutt £50, Petone £30, Makara £86, and Johnsonvillo £27. Upper Hutt's contribution of £100 was out Of all proportion to its population or its unimproved value. Attention should also be drawn, said Mr. Robertson, to the fact that last year employees' subscriptions had totalled £2885, while employers had given only £76. The employers ought to bo ashamed of themselves.

Bcvcrting to the question of Upper Hutt's contribution, Councillor W. Greig,assorted that the borough, was getting full valuo for its £100. Witli this the Mayor agreed. His contention was that Petono and. Lower Hutt were getting service out of all proportion to the amount they gave. Ho quoted the approximate number of cases attended in ' each district last y ear —in Petone district, 350; in Lower Hutt'district; 400; and in tho Upper Hutt district, 150. ' Councillor M. Hood said they should take into consideration their distance from the oentro of operations. Councillor Greig said that if the other local bodies did not appreciate the services of the Ambulance Upper Hutt should put them to shame by contributing its usual amount. Tho Mayor moved that the £100 already provided on the estimates be reduced to £50. He did-not question tho value of the service rendered by the Ambulance, but wished to provoke a discussion on the payments made by local bodies by making this substantial reduction. Councillor J. Blewman seconded the motion. A strong protest was made by Councillor Greig. The council had placed £100 on the estimates for tho Ambulance, and he, as tho council's representative, had announced.it to the Ambulance Board. To reducothc amount now would not be fair to him. Besides, it was a question not of what other local bodies were giving, but of what Upper Hutt was receiving. ■. The motion Was put and'lost. A motion by the Mayor that the empowering Bill submitted bo approved by the council on condition that the local bodies pay the full amount allocated to them (which they have not all done in tho past) was earned.