HOSPITAL RATING.

Evening Star, Issue 22326, 30 April 1936, Page 8

HOSPITAL RATING.

The wisest words spoken at tlie conference of local bodies called to protest against the Hospital Board’s increased demand for rating seem to have been those of the Mayor of Green Island and Mr Hartstonge, representing Mosgiel. The first stated that the grievance seemed to he more against the system of taxation than the higher levy, as to the precise necessity for which the conference was scarcely in a position to judge. The second remarked that it was no use criticising the board unless those who did so were sure of their facts. A good deal of haziness as to facts appears to have pervaded the conference. One delegate spoke of fifty new beds for which maintenance was required, the number being twenty-two. Another declared that the Otago Hospital rate was the highest of any of the sixteen South Island districts, and of most of the forty-seven districts in the Dominion. Or Silverstone has presumably been careful in taking out his figures when he writes to us to-day that there are only twelve districts out of forty-five (not forty-seven) in the Dominion which levied less last year than the Otago Board. Both the system and the amounts required for hospital administration have always been matters of grievance from time to time in more districts than Otago. An element of injustice, caustically referred to at this meeting, is always found in the fact that those who must find the money do not call the tune. Actually they assist in calling it. The rural and semi-rural districts that object to the latest local levy have four members out of eleven 'on the Hospital Board, which would seem to be a not unreasonable allocation. The board estimates what it requires, and the rates are fixed for the different local bodies’ contributions according to their district valuations. A fairer basis has yet to be suggested. But is too much required by the Hospital Board? The same complaints are made at intervals against it —first, of asking too much from contributory bodies, and second, of being cheese-paring to the limit, at least in its provision for that outdoor relief which -makes no unappreciahlc demand upon its funds. They are complaints that cancel each other in a large degree. That the Otago Hospital Board does hot work extravagantly is suggested by the fact that for two years, preceding last year, it made no capital levy. Its demands for rates have not been large enough to make it independent of overdrafts. But hospitals will grow. Twenty-two new beds in the new administrative block make increased needs for maintenance, and extension of the out-patients’ department makes another need for more funds that cannot be longer postponed. “ The whole concern should be taken over by the Government.” was the opinion expressed by more than one delegate to the conference. Presumably they referred to the raising of funds. Though the suggestion is not new, it has never been shown that that change of system would he likely to result in any kind of improvement. The individual contributor would have less knowledge of what he paid, but the cost, with less scrutiny, would he more. The Government at present pays pound for pound upon capital expenditure over the whole of New Zealand. If it found all the funds it -would w'aut lull control, and it has a substantial measure of control now 7 . Local administration makes for local interest, which is much to the advantage of hospitals. A committee, formed from this week’s conference, is to study the position further and discuss it with the board. No harm can bo done by that, but a “ restraining influence on the board ” under the present system is not likely to be wanting. At the meeting of the City Council the facts that “ it was in the best interests of the city and the citizens that the best hospital services should be available,” and that the latest levy was no higher than it was five or six years ago, were judged sufficient reasons for not joining in the outlying bodies’ protest. We imagine that the City Council—more especially its Finance Committee—had a fairly «jcuratg knowledge ihe positron*

The first issue of the ‘ Sports Special ’ for 1936 will be sold on the streets on Saturday night from 7 o’clock. It will record all the available day’s sport in New Zealand and beyond, with numerous special articles and illustrations.

People are beginning to realise that this time of the year is the best lor visiting the glacier regions, said the district tourist manager (Mr R. G. Sincock) this morning. The weather is usually more settled at this period ol the year than is the case in the spring and "summer, and with the facilities for cheap travel that are now available there have been numerous bookings lately for the Pox and Franz Fosef glaciers. The glacier excursion on May 1 promises to bo largely patronised.

At the annual meeting of the Invercargill .Returned Soldiers’ Association last evening it was unanimously decided (says a-Press Association telegram) to support the decision of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association that Anzac Day lie observed as at present, and that the delegates to the annual conference of the New Zealand Association be instructed to vote accordingly. An amendment that Anzac Day observance be modified so that provision he made for a morning service and a “ day' of rejoicing ” in the afternoon was supported by the mover and seconder only. The deluge which broke over Rotorua on Monday’ caught the Auckland Mounted Rifles in the midst of the festive celebrations which customarily mark the last day in camp. The camping ground on the Rotorua Racecourse became flooded, and in the morning the regiment was driven to the grand stand for breakfast. Makeshift drainage devices had put the drenched camp in order for occupation on the final night, when another downpour flooded the party out. To the old war tune of ‘Pack tip Your Troubles’ the regiment packed their bit bags and marched to the Ritz Cabaret in Rotorua, where they bivouacked merrily for the night, leaving only the men on horse picket at the camp to endure the misery of military duty 1 in the rain and mud.

Asking a well-known Auckland identity if he had remembered to retard his watch half an hour, following the conclusion of summer time, an Auckland ‘ Star ’ reporter was told, to his amazement, that he had not altered his watch. He explained that his watch, lost 30 minutes in every six months, and therefore he found it a simple business to put his watch on at the commencement of summer time, and not to correct it in the course of the six months. He wound up by adding that he would not regulate his watch during the winter, but would advance it one hour next October.

“ Peeved ” with the lack of respect accorded him in Wellington, a visitor from Auckland gave expression to his feelings by putting his boot through a couple of shop windows (says the ‘Dominion’). The man, Edward Joseph Barry, labourer, aged 23, was brought before Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court. He was charged -with wilfully breaking a pane of plate-glass valued at £25, owned by Barbara Andrews, and with breaking another valued at £l2, owned by Aubrey Mark Cann. When asked whether he desired to be tried by a jury or would be content to be dealt with by the magistrate, Barry asked whether it would make any difference to his punishment. The magistrate told him that would depend to some extent on the individual judge. Barry elected to be dealt with summarily. He pleaded guilty to both charges and was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment.

The salvaging of a woman’s handbag from the harbour bottom was a feature of the departure of the Rangitane from Wellington for Auckland this week. Holding a child in her arms, a woman, who was nursemaid to a wellknown naval officer’s wife travelling north, was ascending the gangway when the baby suddenly clutched her arm. The handbag fell between the wharfside and the ship. When the Rangitane left, the pilot manoeuvred the ship so as not to cause disturbance where the bag disappeared, and the Harbour Board diver subsequently recovered the handbag from a depth of over 40ft. The bag and contents, including a fair sum in bank notes, is being dried before being sent on to the owner at Auckland.—Press Association.

A striking tribute to the standard of dancing in New; Zealand is paid by Mr A. E. Trevor, who, as a member of the popular “Trevor and Dawn ” dance team, is at present in New Zealand. “ New .Zealand dancing,” says Mr Trevor, “ whether ballroom, operatic, or ballet, is as good as any in the world. It is definitely better than the dancing in Australia.” Mr Trevor attributed this state of affairs largely to New Zealand teachers, who by their policy of making regular trips to London to follow the continuallychanging trends in modern dancing, keep the standard of work in the Dominion at a uniformly high pitch.

The postal authorities advise that the Mariposa left Sydney on Wednesday for Auckland with 20 bags of Australian mail and six parcel receptacles for Dunedin. The mail is due at the local office on Tuesday afternoon.

In connection with the Poppy Day returns, the sum of £1 2s 6d, which was credited as coming from the Boys’ High School, should have been credited to the High Street School.

Although the demand for Anzac stamps has waned the inquiries for the Returned Soldiers’ Association’s special cover are as numerous as ever. Up to noon to-day orders had been received for 44,700 envelopes, both large and small. Not only from city firms have orders been received, hut from as far afield as Tahakopa (.1,500 envelopes), Waikouaiti (2,200), Roxburgh (0,000), Lawrence (1,000), Oamaru (1,000), and Invercargill (1,000). The association is also very pleased by the way in which city firms are using the envelopes on their correspondence. Disappointment has been expressed by many philatelists because of the heavy franking on the commemorative stamps by postal officials in districts outside Dunedin. By this heavy franking much of the value of these Anzac stamps is lost, hut postal officials throughout the country have been instructed to use care in the cancellation of these stamps, and it can only be hoped that this instruction will be carried out.

When the O.S.K. Line boat Brisbane Mam, which berthed in Dunedin this morning, arrives at Melbourne on her return voyage to Japan she will load 700 sheep, bought by the Japanese Government and private persons. The sheep are kept in pens on the deck of the vessel, and will be under the care of four men specially trained for the purpose. One of these men disembarked at Melbourne, when the Brisbane Marii called there on the voyage out, for the purpose of studying sheep farming in Australia. The vessel brings an assorted Japanese cargo of rayon goods, Japanese woods, glassware, earthenware, toys, woollen and cotton goods, chemicals, and Japanese agar agar. She will load frozen meat, scrap iron, and general cargo at New yieaiand sorts.

Permits to the value of £77,817 were issued by the Auckland City Council for the month ended to-day. This figure is £38,752 in excess of the same month last year. The permits include 31 dwellings (averaging £950 each) , an hotel, a school, and additions to the Technical College workshop.—Press Association.

The mutton bird season is again in operation, and large consignments from the south are coming on the local market in good condition. Fresh birds have been on sale lor the past two weeks, and there has been a steady demand for them. Salted birds will be on the market to-morrow.

After the start of the fat sheep sale at Burnside yesterday afternoon values for prime heavies firmed to the extent of 2s, while lighter grades were on a par with last week’s rates. Prices; Extra prime heavy wethers, to Jls 9d; prime heavy, 25s 6d to 27s 6d; medium, 22s 6d to 245; light, 19s to 21s 6d; extra prime heavy ewes, to 2os 9d; prime heavy, 19s to 21s 6d; medium, 14s to 16s Gd; light, down to 12s Gd.

Lasting Satisfaction. Man’s Wrist Watch, highgradc, 15-jewelled movement, in attractive case; guaranteed; 47s 6d, o7s 6d,_W. Strachan, 19V George street [Advt.J

Eye strain—for eye comfort, for better vision, consult Sturraer and Watson Ltd., Opticians, 2 Octagon, Dunedin— fAdvt.l

The Public Works Department is inviting tenders for the supply of the following;— Hot water cylinders, pumps ami oil engines, portable crushing plant, gum hoots, ami small electric generating sets. Details arc published in tins issue. The executive of the military art union of £I.OOO alluvial gold (Is tickets) announce that the closing date, has been extended to jjune §, The first prize is £SOO gold,