HOSPITAL BOARD TENDERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21940, 29 April 1933, Page 15

HOSPITAL BOARD TENDERS

TO THE EDITOR. . Sir, —Recently tenders were called for I the carrying out of funerals for the Otago Hospital Board. The tender accepted was that of a new firm which was prepared to carry out the burials free of cost to the board. I wish to ask the members of the board, through your columns, as they are not likely to address the electors, the following -questions:— 1. Is it a fact that, the tender accepted was not in the hands of the secretary till some days after the tenders were closed? 2. If this‘was so, why was the tender accepted? ' x 3. Is it a fact that the person whose tender was accepted is now receiving various amounts from the fund set apart from the pensions of the aged people for socalled luxuries, etc.? 4. Why was it that during the last few years, when the contract was held by local tenderers they were not paid anything from this account? 5. Is any member of the board interested in the firm which received the contract? < 6. Are members of the board entitled to free meals in the institutions under their charge?—l am, etc., Fair Play. [This subject was ventilated at the time at which the contract was let. We are informed authoritatively that the conditions under which the tender was accepted have not been varied in any respect. There is no fund in existence, and no credit balance from any fund, associated with old-age pensioners from which amounts could be drawn. The oldage pensioners resident in the board’s institutions receive 8s per month for pocket money after the payment of their pensions of £3 8s 3d to the board.— Ed. O.D.T.] 1 I