HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 9489, 11 August 1891, Page 6

HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Having to pay every year a very considerable sum in rates and taxes, I read with more thau ordinary concern the letter from your correspondent “ Ratepayer ”in your issue of August 7. I must say that, after reading his letter, I at first sight came to the conclusion that “ Ratepayer ” was playing a kind of hoax on the Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards. Such, however, I find is not the case; on the contrary, every assertion contained in hia letter to you is substantially correct. Firstly—" That the majority of the members of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards elect themselves to the positions which they occupy.” Secondly—" That the public of North Canterbury, and more especially of this city, have absolutely no voice whatever in the management of the Hospital and Charitable Institutions for the support of which this self-elected body of meu imposes such heavy taxation.” Thirdly—That it is impossible for the public to oust unfit members, or in fact get any fresh blood into this “close corporation.” Now that publicity is being given to tho subject of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards, it cannot be expected that the ratepayers will allow this unsatisfactory state of things to continue much longer. The Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards, which have the absolute control and manager ment of so many of our public institutions, and consequently spend so much public money, ought to he elected directly by public vote, and the " mutual admiration system” of self-election to the Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards must be broken up. It might possibly prove interesting to the ratepayers to know that on the present Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards with the exception of the Mayor of Christchurch and two other members, the gentlemen on this close corporation have been sitting in uninterrupted enjoyment for years. No further comment is necessary.—l am, &c., NO AXE TO GRIND.