FREE AMBULANCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 195, 17 July 1935, Page 6

FREE AMBULANCE.

MANAWATU COUNTY GRANT. After a brief discussion, the Manawatu County Council, yesterday, decided to make a grant of £5 towards the Palmerston North Free Ambulance funds, following a letter being received from the ambulance committee soliciting a donation by the council towards the cost of maintaining its service. The chairman (Cr W. E. Barber) moved that the council grant £5, the proposal drawing instant objection from Or J. H. Perrett, who stated that the district was canvassed by the Free Ambulance and good support was obtained. The ratepayers should not he asked to pay twice—-they were already levied for the Hospital. He was not agreeable to anything being paid towards the Free Ambualnce. The chairman remarked that the Free Ambulance was doing good work and, furthermore, the public appreciated its services. Ho liad a great deal of respect for the Hospital ambulance service, but at the same time lie felt bound to admit that the Free Ambulance was meeting a need in the community. Cr D. W, Reid pointed out that the Free Ambulance committee liad been canvassing in Feilding for two years,- therefore the service could, not be exactly called free. The chan-man: It is free in the sense that the contributions by the public are purely voluntary. Or Reid acknowledged tho good work the. Free Ambulance had done in Feilding. Cr A. N. Morcom seconded the chairman’s motion, stating that, although he agreed with Crs Perrett and Reid, he was of the. opinion that any local body which employed any number of men should support the Free Ambulance. Or Perrett thought the council was hardly consistent. It had complained previously about the increase in the Hospital Board’s levies, yet it was now proposing to add to its expense by £5. The chairman remarked that while it might appear .liko that, the £5 might very well be spent in taking some of the load off the Hospital ambulance and so saving the board’s money. Cr Morcom said he was inclined to view the grant as a saving of money also. The motion was put to the meeting and carried, only Cr Perrett recording his vote to the contrary.