The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is in Corporated the West Coast Times.) THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 1923. PROMISE AND PERFORMANCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 April 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is in Corporated the West Coast Times.) THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 1923. PROMISE AND PERFORMANCE.

Much has been heard iihout economies and reorganisation of late i’l regard to hospital management. Imt it the test is the year’s figures, it would appear from the lew mnv being struck by the Westland Hoard, that, the practical value of the savings in pmiml.s, shillings and ponce is infinitesimal. The ratepayers have to li ml almost as much money as Usual. The maintenance levy is C'2,(itlfi. as against £2,787, and the capital levy, £l2B as against £oil.j. The saving to the County Council is £l3O for the year; to the Hokitika- Borough £2OB, Kumara Borough £2l, end Ross Borough ,£2O. As much money as heretofore is being asked lor the Westland Hospital, namely £<l.ooo, which i' perhaps not surprising as the rate of cN.pendilure is still high, and salaries continue to soar. These- mnv stand at- .£2,027, though two years ago they were £2,T00. Provisions, domestic charges and surgery were also on a higher plane. Tin- hulk of this, ns of all other charges, is passed on to the County Council. The Kumara Home shows a reduction, a substantia) one ns against two years ago, and it would appear from the decision ot the Board that the Home is likely to he closed during the year. With the enlarged Westland Hospiital and its numerous staff, this step should he possible without any additional local expense, except for provisions, which of course would have to continue on a scale similar to that now in vogue at Kumara. It was pointed out at the County meeting on Tuesday, that the revaluation of the County area had increased the proportional liability of that lody. and it seems fair that the Borough of Hokitika, where an increase in values is taking place, should bear also an extra proportion in equity. The town of Hokitika derives it special lienefit from the local trade which the hospital centred here creates. Some £I3.OtX) was distributed by the Board Inst year in expenditure, and the town must have had the chief share of the exchange. It is reasonable therefore, to expect the Borough to contribute a fair share to the hosiptal expenditure seeing that it enjoys such direct benefits. The Borough rating is on the unimproved value, and the Council is perhaps not so concerned what happens with regard to capital values, but the County Council is within its rights in pressing for a review of the capital values of the Borough to equitably adjust the burden of the hospital levies. This will be specially the case when the Kumara Home is closed, and the whole expenditure of the Board is practically centred in Hokitika. It- is perhaps a twice told tale which Mr Jeffries, the County Chairman, gave to the Council on Tuesday when he remarked that it was in this financial year the local ■bodies would reap the greatest benefit from the reforms being brought about. That has been a recurring forecast, which is taking a long time to realise. The ratepayers will be much relieved "hen it comes to pass. Probably the management of a Hospital

Board calls fob more attention to detail than any other local hotly, and when the complete institution is centred here, it might he worth considering the question of the appointment of a Bouse Steward to attend to all details of internal economy, This duty devolves largely upon the matron, who has other pressing duties of quite a different nature. A House Steward should he a business man with clerical ahiliiv, capable ol controlling all supplies, and of attending to patients on the financial side. A largo amount far more than would pay the salary of a capnhle llou-c Steward is 10-t hy mm-paving patients, and under this heading alone .-nidi an officer its suggested. resident at the nl-uiuthm. could make good, it is a matter which will have to lie considered sooner or later, if the economics possible are to be brought to pass for the benefit of the ratepayers who for years past have I ecu very heavily taxed indeed. ter ibe upkeep of the hospitals of the district.