HOSPITAL EXTENSION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9587, 3 September 1913, Page 5

HOSPITAL EXTENSION.

NEARLY £20,000 TO BE SPENT IN PALMERSTON.

The question of tho <.xt«i-ion of the Palmcrston Hospital canio beforo th© Borr«iph Council last night, in the shape of a circular from the Hospital Board with JetaiLs of the mm« required and tlie nur(toees on which it would b«* expended. Tlie ;hicf items were: Old People's Home. £8634; completing children's ward, £221: Nurses' Home, £6390: new diphtheria •vard, £866; architects' fees. > £435: engine, dynamo and contingencies, £560; furniture, £500; total. £l9Oll.

Palmcrston borough's share of this turn was £1375.

The Mayor said tho money had to be found, as the works proposed were very nuch needed. It was in addition to the ordinary requirements for maintenance. The Council had no option hut to agree, is the Hospital Board was in the same position as tho Fire Board. The local bodies had to supply whatever they wanted. Half if the money would be required this year md half next. It could be raised by loan, .'or which they did not have to go to the ratepayers. The Mayor was authorised to arrange tor tlie loan in tlie manner required. A letter was received from the Advances Department, stating that Hospital extension was not one of the purposes for which the Department was authorise! to end money, and it was not proposed at present to widen the scojw of tho Act. THE MANAWATU COUNTY'S SHARE.

Hospital matters occupied a good j»ortion of the Manawatu County Council's •neeting yesterday. The fact that, ucxmlinjr to tho Hospital Board's assessment, the Manawatu County's estimated share of the money required was £1439. and tho Palmcrston Borough's was £1375. ?auscd Cr. McKejizie to remark that, they, with a population of one-third of Paltnerjton's, paid more. "It «n't be helped, it's the law," replied the chairman. Cr. Henson reiterated a remark made it the previous meeting, that the Governnent should do more in the matter.; v-e tig the enormous expense in the mainUninco of roads and bridges that people were .x'ing put to. Tlie Chairman outlined the position to he members, and stated tho lloard had lecided it would Ik- more «-onomical to tako the whole plunge and erect thebuild;n K s - At the conclusion. Cr. McKenzie said ho desired to move a hearty vote of thank? :o the chairman for tlie information given, but. Cr. Wilson slid it was his duty to beanie acquaints! with the finances, as the I x>unty was an interested body. Cr. Wil- ' *on also paid a tribute to the generosity >f tho Kairanga County Council in giving 10 acres of land free for the Old Men's Home, and offering the balance of the i section at a low rental. Later it was rev»l\ed. on tlie motion of Os. Wilson ami McKenzie, that the Council apply 1o the Public Trustee for a loan f or the purpose of providing tho Council's ♦hare of tlie capital expenditure rcquiml by the Hospital Board.