INCREASE PREDICTED IN MAINTENANCE LEVY OF HOSPITAL BOARD

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6851, 5 March 1929, Page 8

INCREASE PREDICTED IN MAINTENANCE LEVY OF HOSPITAL BOARD

lay be up 7 per cent

LAST YEAR’S ESTIMATES WORK OUT FAVOURABLY

“ ESSENTIALS ONLY.” That there was a possibility of the maintenance levy for the coming year being up by about 7 per cent., was announced by the secretary (Mr. A. J. Philiipps) at yesterday's mooting oi the Palmerston North Hospital Hoard. Last year £21,000 was struck, but thi3 year between £22,000 and £23,000 will be required, ho said. However, the Board would find itself in a much better financial position Ithan was anticipated in December, Then it was considered there would be a deficit of from £I2OO to £.1500, but now it seemed as if the Board would !bc in the vicinity of £IOO to the good, [it was also likely that the estimate ol 'patients' fees would be exceeded by j£6oo or £7OO. Reference to the maintenance estimates, which will be framed at; a meetling of the Board in April, was also 'made by the chairman (Mr. J. G. Wilson). Ho said they would bo higher for the coming year. Mr. G. A. Monk: We have already warned our people. The chairman: It is a result of the increased number of patients. Mr. Monk: That is inevitable. The Board yesterday dealt with the capital estimates, which were kept within the limit of £3BOO levy on local bodies according to a promise given [several years ago.

| Mr. Monk remarked that no local 'body representatives on the Board could go back and say the Board had not endeavoured to keep well within the limit. There was not one item on the list that was not absolutely essential. He had scanned estimates framed by the Wanganui and Wellington Boards and considered them extravagant. The present estimates before the Board had been most closely examined. There was nothing in tho way of non-essen-tials left in, although in some cases he would have liked to see a little more money provided. When it was suggested that probably the recollection of election time coming soon had made members cautious, Mr. J. K. Hornblow stated that he was sure there was not a person on tho Board who Would not sacrifice his seat for the sake of the health of the community. Mr. Monk: I don't think the elections have been given a thought. We are up against high capital expenditure and we are not prepared to commit ourselves to more than we have done. We are here to do our best for tho hospital and the people who go into the institution.