SOUTH OTAGO HOSPITAL BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18543, 2 May 1922, Page 6

SOUTH OTAGO HOSPITAL BOARD.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—The first report of the operations of the South Otago Hospital Board has now been published, and the people in this district are beginning to wonder what bene'fit they are going to obtain from separation. The main argument of the separationists was that the cost of administration would be greatly reduced, and they also stated that no buildings would be erected out of revenue, but out of loan moneys. The first thing the new board did 1 was to make a levy of practically the same amount as the Otago Board did for the previous year. How could the new board possibly spend that money? They have no hospital, and so far as the main hospital in Balclutha js concerned, they have not yet purchased a site. Patients still have to go to Dunedin Hospital, and are likely ta go there for some time to come, as the board is of opinion that the cost of building is yet too high to justify erecting hospitals. • The result is that the board has in hand a very considerable sum unexpended from the first levy, ‘and Mr Malcolm, in proposing the amount of this year’s levy, pointed out the levy was much less than last year, and that the ratepayers would no doubt appreciate this. The unfortunate ratepayers would appreciate the position if thev were informed how much of last year’s levy is still unexpended and what is being done with the surplus. If this information were disclosed it might lie discovered that it was unnecessary to make a levy this year. The ratepayers ] are beginning to realise the whole hospital question is simply a question of politics. Last vear the Government granted to the Clutha and Bruce electors the very doubtful boon of having a hospital cf their own. and this being election year the member for Clutha. who is also a member of the Hospital Board, has the pleasure of informing the ratepayers that having last year collected several thousands more than, was necessary the board is going to let them off this year with a smaller levy. The methods of the hoard in acquiring a site in Balclutha are also causing the ratepayers some concern. No attempt at negotiation was made, and finally the board selected a site two- miles and a-half from Balclutha. proceeded to bore for water, and spent £6OO in doing so. Having obtained a water supply the board asked the department to say whether (he site was suitable. The department replies that neither the water nor the site is suitable. Would it not have been an ordinary business precaution for the board to have ascertained the department's view of the site before spending hundreds of pounds in boring for water? Tt might be a good thing if the South Otago Hospital Board followed the example of the Dunedin Board, and obtained the assistance of some lady members. The feeling in the district is that a mistake has been made in separating from Dunedin, and if the present ■ members are going to continue their methods of administration the district is going to bo burdened with a hospital service much more costly than under the old hoard, and with nothing like the same efficiency.—l am. etc., Ratepayer. Balclutha. April 24.