HOSPITAL BOARD FINANCES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12281, 27 May 1903, Page 6

HOSPITAL BOARD FINANCES.

IN A TIGHT CORNER.

GENERAL APPEAL FOR FUNDS DECIDED UPON.

At yesterday's meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board the secretary read the financial statement, showing the bank overdraft at date to be £4093 9s 6d. Mr. A. P. Friend said he considered that at every meeting in future the Board should carefully consider the financial statement and debate it fully. At the hospital inquiry it had been suggested that the Board simply glossed over finances. He admitted that small reference was made to finances in the minutes, but this did not rightly reflect the state of affairs. . , The Chairman (Mr. G. J. Garland) said that he felt very strongly on this subject. lie was almost inclined to suggest that every time the Board had a financial nicotine they should have a shorthand clerk present. Ho wanted to put tho financial position of the Board before them, and to tell them that he knew that they had only £900 to carry on with, and that something would Have to be clone at once. ahoy had £5000 on deposit, and they had drawn upon this to the extent of £4090. lh© Board must meet its liabilities. Lnder the conditions of the Hospital and Cnant&ole Aid Act, 1885, provision was made for hospital boards in such crises.as they were now 111, by which they might apply to the Colonial Treasurer for advances against sums that might be coming forward. The Board could only carrv on for &l>oiit another montii. A.* would be at least six weeks or two months before they would receive anything worth mentioning from local sources. During that time fees and gratuities would be small, but they might receive 8. few "oddments from other boards to the extent of about £100 or £200 during tho next month. he City Council's contributions were due, but were not collected. Ho (the chairman) suggested that the Board should either ask some of the influential local bodies to pay a portion of their subscriptions, or should apply to the Colonial Treasurer, under the provisions of the Act, to make them an advance against the contributions already levied. Mr. J. Patterson: Then we are worse oft now than we were four or five mouths ago? The Chairman: Of course you are. Mr. A. Bruce said that the Board would get no moneys from local bodies at least until August. This being so, the Board must look to another source. Mr. Patterson: What do you expect in to make un the revenue? The Chairman: Our levy already made, namely. £13,000. Also the subsidy on the same ' from the Government—another £13,000, or a total of £26,000. Mr. A. P. Friend suggested writing to the City Council asking them for part of their contribution, now overdue two months; and also for the usual quarterly instalment. Mr. Walters thought similar requests for payment should be sent to all local bodies. The Chairman reminded members that by the Act they could apply to the Colonial Treasurer. Mr. Bruce then moved, "That the Colonial Treasurer be applied to for an advance against subscriptions payable, or rates collectable, to the amount of £5000." Mr. C. R. Harris seconded, and the motion was carried. On the chairman's motion, it was also decided to ask tho Colonial Treasurer for £6000.

It was further agreed to send a special request to the City Council asking for £2000 against contributions due.

A probable reduction in the rate for hospital and charitable aid was referred to at the Parnell Borough Council's meeting last evening. by the Mayor (Mr. .T. Fitt), who made a statement in respect to the recent inquiry. He understood that there was to be a reduction in the expenditure of some thousands of pounds per annum, and that- the sterilising plant could be allowed to stand over for 12 months. The present levy of 4d in the £ might be reduced to 3Jd. Mr. Thomas regretted the personal turn taken by the inquiry. and expressed approval of the Mayor of Auckland's view of the matter. Several councillors expressed the opinion that persons who could afford to be treated outside ought not to go to the hospital.