HOSPITAL ESTIMATES

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12534, 22 April 1935, Page 2

HOSPITAL ESTIMATES

INCREASES EXPLAINED.

S,EC‘RETARY?S REPORT. Some interesting comments on the increases in maintenance estimates for 1935-36 were given by the managing secretary (Mr. C. A. Harries) in his report to the Cook Hospital Board meeting last week. Air. Harries dealt with the main items as follows : Provisions.—Extra provisions on last year’s actual by £3O. Tender prices for meat this year show an increase of 22) per cent, above 1934 prices. The amount collected from staff for meals supplied last year was £l2O. An endeavor will be mado to further reduce quantity of consumption. Domestic and establishment.—Bedding linen, etc: Figure set £250 below last year’s actual. Furniture and equipment £225) provides for installing extra table and chair accommodation nurses’ dining room, underfelt for corridor in nurses’ home and general renewals. Coal reduced by £9O. Household coal requirements have been reduced for 9 months of year and corresponding provision made for gas following installation. Electric light estimate is reduced by £25. The water rates amount has been increased by £lO to allow for. maternity home, Rain water not now saved will increase this: expenditure by £3O per annum. Water softener increased by £3O. Reriewal of permuttit required. Laundry machinery renewals increased ’ by £4O. New felts and sheeting are required for mangles. Alterations to floor necessary. Cleaning,' etc'.', r<v. duced by £3O. Grounds increased by £IOO to allow for cost of laying tar seal and lawns between wards. (Some of this work now in hand.) Repairs to buildings reduced by £220. Painting provision of £2OO to ' allow for painting remainder of main block, T.B. block, and balance for general renoyatipn.s;. Engineering; 'require-: ments at £IOO are 1 set as low as possible. Cook Hospital.—A curtailment in all lines will be aimed at. Estimated requirements for next year have been reduced -by £3OO. Cook Maternity Home.—The estimated cash requirements have been; reduced by £320. With the'transfer of the home to Cook Hospital it has already been agreed that the institution shall be treated as a separate institution for costing purposes. The estimated reequiremonts' here are very problematical for the present year, as it will be three months yet before the transfer will be completed. Provisions have been reduced slightly. Coal requirements will be reduced by £SO, grounds by £9O, and the wages cost for domestic purposes will be reduced by £lls and clerical will cease on transfer. The saving by amalgamation in this hospital will be felt more greatly next year. No reduction in the'provision for the cost, of medical staffing has .been made. Any decisions by the board to alter the existing arrangement will neces ' sarily affect the wages and salaries ’figure. ‘' Memorial Home— An increased amount of £44 for provisions lias been made owing to increased tender prices for supplies. Estimated requires ments are for the same number of inmates as last year. An amount of £4O for painting has been allowed for the interior of the domestic quarters and where otherwise necessary. Clothing for inmates remains a problem and it "is likely purchases this year will be necessary, Extra wardrobs locker accommodation is necessary and £25 has been provided for this purpose. -

Dairy Farm Working.—Requirements are approximately tho same as last year. There will be an increased demand for supplies on transfer ol tho maternity home which will help ito absorb the surplus for a large proportion of the year. Outdoor Relief.—At the present rate of allowances a provision of not less than tho amount expended last year is necessary. This means that our Estimate this- year will need to be £SOO more than the estimate of last year. • .Maintenance in Sanatoria and ether institutions. —Already there are indications of possible increased expenditure under this head and the sum of £1250 has"been set down as estimated requirements. Interest.—lt is necessary to provide interest as under: On bank overdrfat £125, on earthquake loan £144, on maternity home loan £l9B, a total of £467.