HOSPITAL EXPENDITURE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20263, 24 May 1929, Page 12

HOSPITAL EXPENDITURE.

BURDEN ON COUNTIES. CRITICISM AT MATAMATA.. [by telegraph.—own CORRESPONDENT.]' MATAMATA.' Thursday. Strong comment on hospital expenditure was made at yesterday's meeting of the Matamata City Council following the ceipt of notice from the Waikato Hospital Board that the levy on the county for the coming year had been fixed at £2542 '3s Bd.

The chairman, Mr. J. W. Anderson, stated that the Counties' Association bad mado a big fight for an alteration in the system of rating with a view to getting half the amount levied on the capital value basis aud half on a population basis. The saving, however, did not appear to be as largo as was expected. Mr. Bruce (Karapiro) held that the fine buildings, together with the fact that there was one nurse to every two patients, was responsible for the continual increases in the levies. The average number of patients per day was 230, while the staff numbered over 100. The board received a subsidy of 15s 2d in the pound from the Government, and charged patients £3 3s a week, yet counties were increasingly burdened. Tho chairman pointed out that friendly societies had agreements with hospital boards in that they guaranteed half fees. Tho discussion ended without any motion being passed.