HOSPITAL EXPENDITURE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20228, 12 April 1929, Page 12

HOSPITAL EXPENDITURE.

INCREASE IN WAIKATO

BOARD MEMBER'S OBJECTION

[by telegraph.—own correspondent.]

HAMILTON, Thursday

Disappointment that Iho estimates of the Waikato Hospital Board showed an increased expenditure of £770 was expressed by Mr. C. J W. Barton at a meeting of the board to-day, Mr. Barton said every year he had been on the board increases had been made in the expenditure. He had looked for a reduction in the allocations the local bodies had had to contribute. He criticised (lie proposal to build a new administratis block at the hospital and said lie considered it was unnecessary

The chairman, Mr. Campbell Johnstone, said he resented Mr. Barton's remarks, and ordered him to resume his seat.. He was disappointed, ho said, to hear what Mr. Barton had to say. Mr. Barton had always advocated tho maternity ward and the speaker had also supported the proposal. As far as the administrative block was concerned tho idea was to close the offices in tho town and to build new offices at tho hospital. He considered the increase in tho local body levy, about £4OO, was extraordinarily small.

After a heated exchange with the chairman Mr. Barton said he thought (ho administrative block was a wasto of money. The laundry was necessary and (lie hoard was committed to the maternity ward. The secretary. Mr. E. G. Johnson, said the present office accommodation was totally inadequate and additions would cither have to ho made to the present office in the (own or the hoard would have to proceed willi th<* proposal to build an administrative block at the hospital. The economy that would he effected by the change would be well justified. Messrs. J. Price, \V. Tlill and...T, J. Bybnrn spoke in favour of the estimates, which were adopted, Mr. Barton dissenting. YEAR'S SUCCESSFUL WORK. FINANCES AND ESTIMATES. [BY TEI.EOR ATH. —OWN COR.I!KSI'ONPF.N J'. ] HAMILTON. Thursday. The Waikato Hospital Board met today, Mr. Campbell Johnstone presiding. The secretary, Mr. E. G. Johnson, reported a successful year with respect to the collection of fees. The amount, collected during the last year totalled £14,945, an increase of £i2l'/. over the previous year, and an increase of £3819 over the amount collected two years ago. The amcunt o.' fees collected from all sources during the year was £17,376. During the past eight years an increase of ICO per cent had been shown in the amount of fees collected. The Finance Committoe submitted the estimates for the current year as follows: —Expenditure, £69,315; receipts, £23,074. The estimated capital expenditure was £21,010. while the receipts were £4028. The amount to ho raised by way of levy and subsidy totalled £63,222. The increase in the amount to be raised by way of levy and subsidy over the previous year would be £770.

Increases in salaries totalling £155 a, year, affecting eight employees, were authorised, while capital expenditure proposed included - maternity ward, £10,000: administrative offices at the hospital and residential quarters for the junior doctors, £15,000: laundry buildings and workshop, £3OOO The estimates were approved. The arrangement under which the board supplies its own meat for the hospital was described as very economical and satisfactory.