HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 3194, 2 June 1915, Page 4

HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

LEVY FOR THE YEAR. The fortnightly meeting of the Otago Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, hold on May 28, was attended by Mr J. 11. Walker Mrs Gordon, Mrs Jackson, Mrs Ferguson, Dr W. Brown, Messrs W. T. Talboys, A. F. Quelch, J. Gumming, C. N. Scurr, W. E. S. Knight, R. Templeton, H. M. Driver, and F. G. Gumming. The reports of the committees were adopted. Seven applications for the position of nurse for the tuberculosis department, at a salary of £l5O per annum, were referred to the Sanatorium Committee to act. The Chairman said that as the board proposed to increase the amount to be levied over the contributory bodies in Otago, he thought it was desirable that the reason for so doing should be enumerated to enable the public to be in a position to know the reason that actuated the board in coming to a decision. During the last five years of the board’s operations the amounts levied were as follow:

It would thus be noticed that with the exception of 1911-12 the estimates had previously decreased, and the board by economies effected had managed to steadily reduce its levies on local authorities and Government subsidy. The work of the board had in no way lessened since 1910, nor had its efficiency been impaired, but by savings effected and by strict supervision the expenditure had been kept within previous limits, notwithstanding alterations, additions, and extensions carried out, which had from time to time been enumerated, and which did not now need repetition. No doubt the most interesting feature would be a short resume of what now made it necessary to increase the estimates by £13,000 on those of last year. During the last year several amounts had largely exceeded the estimate, necessitating an increase in the overdraft for which provision would have to be made, and also an increased amount in this present year. The present state of war was responsible for a large increase in charitable aid relief, more particularly in connection with outdoor relief. The increased cost of the necessaries of life, and also drugs, clothing, etc., varied from 25 per cent, to 100 per cent., and provision must be made for this.

The present nurses’ home, built some 20 years ago, had during the last few years toon found quite inadequate to accommodate the increased number of nurses, due to the expansion of the Hospital. The board suggested various means by which the present accommodation could be largely increased at a moderate cost, and had plans prepared showing the suggested additions. After considerable delay the central authorities absolutely refused to allow any more buildings to be erected on the present site, and left us with no alternative but to purchase a new site within easy access of the Hospital and erect the necessary buildings. The cost of the ground was approximately £9OOO, and of the buildings, which were in the course of erection, £17,000, and provision must be made for the whole of this amount.

For the completion and furnishing of the women’s ward building the sum of £7154 was expended, and the extra maintenance necessitated by the accommodation of 46 extra patients, 11 extra nurses, lighting, heating, etc., would be considerable. Other large amounts expended during the year included:—(l) Extension, painting, drainage, and repairs at the Benevolent Institution; (2) painting the whole of the shelters and completion of the medical officer’s residence at the sanatorium; (3) extensive painting, etc., at the Maternity Hospital. Although the extra amount required was £13,000, the amount required from the contributory bodies was £6573 12s 9d, and it was to be noted that tho valuation had increased this year by the sum of £752,625.

Year. Lew. Valuations 1910-11 £32.170 .. 18.554.604 1911-12 38,000 .. 19.297 931 1912-13 33,800 .. 19,608 900 1913-14 33.000 .. 20.223.217 1914-15 33.000 .. 21.126,355 1915-16 46 000- .. 21,878,960