FREE AMBULANCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 142, 17 June 1937, Page 11

FREE AMBULANCE

BALANCED BUDGET

INCREASED EXPENDITURES

It was announced at today's meeting of the Wellington Free Ambulance Board that the balance-sheet for. the year shows a favourable balance of £21 16s sd, despite the fact that expenses during the past year show a big increase. "The total income of the ambulance is greater this year by £600," said Mr. J. W. Jack, the treasurer. "This is partly due to increased donations by local bodies, and to the holding of street days." It was stated that funds as a result of benefits were at £505, as against £329 last year. Subscriptions by unions and by employees in the various industries were also higher than previously. Donations from local bodies totalled £2096, as against £1825 last year.

The chairman, Sir Charles Norwood, pointed out that expenditure was greater in some measure because of the replacement of old cars. It was extremely heartening to avoid the loss of £391 incurred last year, and to do so in the face of increased costs.

"I think that it is very praiseworthy that, against the extraordinary expenses met this year, we have been able to balance," he went on. "There have only been a few months in the year in which expenses due to legislation have applied. The position indicates that these will be reasonably met, but no more than . met, during the coming year. It is a matter for congratulation that we have not had to draw on our emergency fund. . . . "The building is a big asset in cash, and enough should be carried forward to keep it looking well. One thing with which the members of the board can be satisfied is that economic and sound writing down has taken place. If the surplus had been more, the writing down would not have been carried further than has been done." The balance-sheet was received. . It was announced by the motor committee that four new ambulance cars,, representing three different makes, had been purchased. The old cars were taken in part payment by the motor firms. "We now have a fleet of seven new cars, and will not be troubled with much in the way of maintenance costs for the next few years," said the chairman. The total cost was £2335, and at the time of the decision there was £5180 in the equipment and replacement fund. The' board decided to take out passenger insurance on all vehicles, covering all passengers and attendants carried in the ambulances. DONATIONS ACKNOWLEDGED. The following donations for the past month have been acknowledged:—Mr. R. B. Stewart, £7 4s; Mrs. W. Donovan, £19 10s; Miss A. M. Webb, £6 10s; H. P. Barry, £4 10s; W. S. R. Spencer, £3 10s; G. F. Hall, £2 2s; J. W. Robinson, £1 10s; F. W. Dawson and A. H. Woodger, £1 Is each; J. E. Keir, £1; W. Hammond, 10s 6d; Rev. T. Fielden Taylor, Mrs. A. Warder, Miss B. Mabey, L. Bayly, Mrs. Rossbotham, and Sinclair Carruthers, 10s each; Mrs. S. Albecht, 6s; H. Marshall, F. J. Denton, L. Hargreaves, Mrs. D. Martin, and H. Mulholland, 5s each; C. Jones, 3s Gd; Mrs. B. Simpson, 2s 6d; Gear Meat Co., Petone, £6 3s; Ford Motor Co. of New Zealand, Ltd., £5 ss; Pacific Lodge, U.A.0.D., Bowen Street Hospital, and Pinchin, Johnson, and Go,, Ltd., £2 2s each; Khandallah Progressive Association, Wellington East Old Girls' Dramatic Society, A. and T. Burt, Ltd., Carrara Ceiling Co., Ltd., Wellington Basketball Association, Coronation Lodge No. 127, £1 Is each; W. Miller, £1; Marcus Shapiro, Ltd., Mrs. B. O. Affleck, 10s 6d each; H. Vial, G. B. Anderson, and Mrs. I. Goodwin, 10s each; :/lrs. Maguire, 3s; Mrs. L. Hope, 2s 6d; Union Steam Ship Co., Ltd. (collection from ships), £19 3s sd; Newlands Women's Institute, £1 11s 9d; Plimmerton Women's Institute (balance of benefit), ss.