NEW HOSPITAL LEVIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19307, 21 April 1926, Page 12

NEW HOSPITAL LEVIES.

INCREASE IN THE RATE. £94.000 FROM LOCAL BODIES. BOARD'S "STRICTEST ECONOMY" LARGE MAINTENANCE COSTS. An increase in the levy from ,25d in the £ to ,28d is to be made by the Auckland Hospital Board this year. In addition, the ratable value of the board's district has been increased from £73,384,375 to £80,634,277. These two factors mean that this year local bodies will pay as hospital levy a total sum of £94,073, an increase of £17,631 on' last year's levy. The increase in the rate was opposed by several members of the Hospital Board last evening, when tho annual estimates were under consideration. Mr. M. J. Coyle moved as an amendment to the adoption of the Finance Committee's report on the matter, that the same rate be levied this year as last. He considered it unreasonable to increase the rate in view of the fact that the valuation of tlie district had increased by £7,249,000. Outcry from Country. Speaking as a country member, Mr. J. Chalmers predicted that there would be an outcry Jn the rural districts if the rates were increased. Mr. J. McLeod, in endorsing these remarks, stated .that many residents in the country could not pay the rates, and local bodies had considerable outstanding amounts. The chairman, Mr. W. Wallace, stated it would bo only by practising tho strictest economy that tile board would be able to get through the year on the estimates as presented. The Finance Committee had gono very carefully into tho matter, and had decided that it would be necessary to exercise economy iu every direction. Bearing this in mind, such schemes as extending the infirmary and providing an infectious diseases block at tho hospital had not been allowed for on the estimates. The amendment was lost, only Messrs. Coyle, McLeod and Chalmers voting in its favour, and the estimates were adopted. Apportionment oi Levy. The total levy on local authorities this year will bo £94,073. of which £73,573 is in the form of a maintenance levy, and £20,500 in the form of a capital levy. ! Last year the total levy was £76,442. The maintenance costs this year are estimated at £202,185. To meet this sum the board's earnings aro expected to produce £50,335, local bodies will contribute £73,573, and the Government subsidy will amount to £78,276. Last year's estimates totalled £166,047, and the actual expenditure on maintenance was £176,049. Tho net estimated capital expenditure is £41,000, of which local bodies will pay one half, or £20,500. Individual Allocations. Thirtv-six local bodies will contribute to the total levy of £94,073, their individual allocations, compared with last year, being as follow: 192G-27. 3925-2 G.

The most striking increases in the levyare in the case of Auckland City, £7.544, and Mount Eden Borough, £2550.

£ £ Auckland City Council . 42,503 34,864 Avortdale . 1.11-2 931 Birkenhead 9(12 770 Devonport . . . . 2,401 2,071 Kllerslio , . . . ' est; 555 Franklin County . . 6,460 5,801 Glen Eden . 184 141 Great Barrier 150 134 Helensville . . . 22<> 199 Henderson 220 175 IJowick 1(12 143 Manuka.u County . 4,932 4.393 Manurewft 3?S 334 Mount Albert . . . 3,97! 3.233 Mount Eden . . . 5.607 3,057 Mount Roskill . 2,134 1,740 Mount Wellington 877 455 New Lynn . . . 504 411 Xewmarket . . . 1,024 871 Northcote (145 557 Onekunga . .. . 1.743 1.518 One Tree Hill . . . 2.692 2.185 Orakei 137 119 Otahuhu 713 623 Pa.nmure 55 4S Pnpakura 4-77 403 Papatoetoe 55i 471 Pukekobe 961 833 Rodney County . 2,049 Takapuna 2,332 3,963 Tamaki . 1,100 693 Tuakau ISO 100 Waiheko Island . . 388 349 Waiteniata County . 4.477 3,734 Waiuku 289 252 W ark worth . . 1 104 93 Totals £94,073 £ 76,442