HOSPITAL RATES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 18 May 1925, Page 9

HOSPITAL RATES.

REPLY TO CRITICISM

BY HAWERA CHALEMAN. Referring at to-day’s meeting of,, fine Hawera Hospital Boiard to the rate struck by the hoard for: the current. year, the chairman (Mr. F. Gillanders) said that he had noticed that it had been, adversely commented on in several parts of the district, and lie stated!,distinctly that, in quoting the figures, speakers were hardly fair. As, a fact, there had been on the whole a decrease in rates, for some few years ago it was l.s 3d ill the £IOO for maintenance purposes, as against IT : this year. What had increased the' rates had been the erection otf the new hospital, the cost of which the hoard Had undertaken to pay in froth fen to twelve years. So, taking all things into consideration, it was not out of proportion to other centres. In Hawera district it was 2s .Id; whereas many other districts were , paying 3s or over. In addition to this, they had to consider that in ten years ratepayers would contribute ,forty dr fifty thousand pounds for a hew building, j which would effectively serve the clis■trict for fifty or-a hundred years. All these things considered, he believed there was not room for 'criticism asmight have appeared art first sight. He had put-this aspect of the matter, and this would perhaps be information 16 the public. Mr. Gifford said it was clear ; the maintenance rate had been decreased. He hoped the chairman’s, explanation would •satisfy all ratepayers. Mr. Gillanders said lie considered it right to put the position, as he saw it and hoped it would clear the atmosphere. f