DANNEVIRKE HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 109, 11 May 1939, Page 8

DANNEVIRKE HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

Incidence of Rates and Levy

PART OF LEGACY RECEIVED The monthly meeting of the Dannevirke Hospital Board was held yesterday. There were present. Messrs. L. Stein (chairman), J. Millar, W. J. Galloway, A. England, C. A. Sutton, R. H. Morgan and the secretary, Mr. W. Dobson. Apologies w'ere received from Messrs. R. E. Bunny, A. H. Hansen, P. C. Smith and L. G. Cross, to whom leave of absence was granted. A firm of solicitors wrote forwarding £230, being the board's share in a distribution from the estate of the late A. • Wells, in which the board is a beneficiary. The letter stated that the principal unsold asset was a farm of 700 acres at WjJjer at present leased. Further particulars regarding this are to be sought. Commenting further on the estimates brought down at the last meeting, the chairman, Mr. L. Stein, said that a consideration of the figures showed the increase to be only 6 per cent, on last year's. The Dannevirke board, he considered, should feel very proud that the increase was only £1529 18s 5d as far as the local bodies were concerned. The increases for the several contributory local bodies were stated to be approximately as follows: £ s. d. Woodville County 155 5 3 Dannevirke County .. .. .. 859 19 S Weber County 146 0 4 Dannevirke Borough .. .. 324 10 11 Woodville Borough 44 2 8 Mr. Stein thought these bodies would have no complaints to make at such small increases. He remarked that the Woodville County was especially fortunate, as their capital valuation had been reduced. “I am quite satisfied," he concluded. Mr. Galloway, speaking as a Woodville County Councillor, said that his county was not so fortunate, as during the past year the costs per patient of the several contributors were as follow: £ s. d. Woodville County 41 18 0 Dannevirke County 9 10 0 Weber County 39 2 4 Dannevirke Borough .... 3 8 0 Woodville Borough 4 2 0 The chairman: You are concerned only as a councillor. The Counties Association has been trying for years to get a different system of rating. We all know that most patients come from the cities and towns, but that does not concern the board. We are oniy elected by the people and have to raise sufficient levies to carry on the hospital as the law provides. We must carry on according to necessities and that; is all we can do. Mr. Stein then quoted comparative figures of levies from other districts. Mr. Galloway said he understood Woodville was better off than some counties. Mr. England said the incidence of taxation appeared wrong to him and should bo altered. He pointed out that the levy cost tho Dannevirke County 17s 9d per head of population, Dannevirke town 8s 3d and Woodville County £1 0s 8d per head. “I feel the taxation is unfairly raised, but perhaps when the Social Security Act is working properly a better system might be evolved," lie added. Mr. Stein agreed that there was no argument against the unfairness of the present arrangement. The levy for maintenance charged to the Woodville County Council shows a decrease of £l4l 15s Bd, owing to the depreciation of the county's capital value by £188,589. Superintendent’s Report Dr. W. Beedie, medical superintendent, reported: “On May 1 there were in hospital 56 patients, 25 men, 22 women and nine children. During April 30 surgical operations were performed, there were 40 cases for X-ray examination and 28 patients for physiotherapeutic treatment necessitating 237 treatments." Matron’s Report The matron, Miss E. A. Orsman, reported that the month of April had been moderately busy. “There has beeu a mild outbreak of influenza," the report read, “which affected a few of the nursing staff. I wish to acknowledge programmes of music by the Salvation Army Band and the Municipal Band, both much enjoyed by the patients and staff. Gifts were received from Mr. Dawson (Palmerston North), books; Mr. Parkes, fish; Mr. Baker, mushrooms; Mr. Willis (Norsewood), flowers. ' ’