HIGHER LEVELS FOR HOSPITAL FINANCE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22665, 16 June 1948, Page 6

HIGHER LEVELS FOR HOSPITAL FINANCE

fJMIE prospect that a general in-

crease in the rateable value of the Gisborne Borough, which will take effect next year, will increase the amount payable by way of hospital levy, was referred to by the Mayor, Mr. N. 11. Bull, at last night’s meeting of the Gisborne Borough Council when reviewing the rating position. He had few comments to make upon the estimates for the year, but he said he had to point out one salient factor, which was that when the draft estimates were brought forward the council was within £893 of the legal limit of its rating powers. . This was brought about mainly by increased costs of materials and labour. The council was only permitted to raise by way of general rate a sum equivalent to 2d in the £1 of the capital value; and after providing for the usual commitments there was only £893 left with which to do new work — apart from ordinary charges for maintenance. The effect of this was that this year the council could only embark upon a very limited amount of new work In the way of roads and other public projects. Many applications which came before the council for general amenities had had to be refused. "Next vear, we understand, the capital value of the borough will be increased substantially,” added MrBull. “One effect of this will be to increase the council’s limit for general rating purposes. “Another effect, however, will be less fortunate, in that the council's contribution to hospital finances will probably go up by anything between £3OOO and £SOOO unless something is done to stabilise this burdensome charge at the present limit.”