TARANAKI HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 44, 23 February 1900, Page 2

TARANAKI HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

<> At the ordinary meeting of the above Board, to be held at Hawera to-day, the following report will be read : chairman's IIEI'ORT BE LOCAL UODIES' CONTIIIBUTION FOXV YEAH 1900-1901. The present rateable value of the !,Xaranaki Hospital District is as follows : £ Hawera County 1,7!>5,-285 Taranaki County 1,376,-1! M Hlratfoi'il County 1,001,0.'i(i Clifton County 3 111,083 New Plymouth JiorougU ... 5 it!, 370 Haw-urn Uorough 201,351 Stratford .Borough 121,883 Total 5,301,505 The rate of tenpeuce in the ,£IOO levied last year lias been the means of placing the funds in a satisfactory state ol'iiuance, and with the assistance of i .Mr. W. Ko.ve's valuable donation of .£3OO, which, with subsidy added, amounts to .£GGO, the Board ean ninke provision for xiecessary moderate expenditure on buildings, and at the taji.b time reduce the rate.

The total rate collectable last year was £2208 15s. With this sum and revenue from various other sources, the Board has bettered its position by .£438, ,£236 of which has been absorbed in clearing the debit balance of last year, leaving a credit of £202, to which must be added the sum of £660 realised from Mr. Eowe's donation; therefore to levy sufficient to carry on, assuming to require the same amount as last year, the Board will need to strike a rate to produce £1978. These figures merely provide funds for ordinary expenditure, and I recommend, out of our present credit balance, the addition of a separate bath room and lavatory for the staff, and provision for a diningroom at the Hawera Cottage Hospital; and I would strongly urge upon the members the very great need of better accommodation for the aged at the hospital refuge, New Plymouth. I referred to the latter in my last yearly report, and I think the time has now arrived when some better provision should be made for those who are worn out and require the attention that we are at present unable to give them. This expenditure can be provided out of the present credit balance. Each penny in the ,£IOO on the present rateable value produces £220, which with subsidy added equals £440. I recommend the Board to levy a rate of ninepence (9d) in the £IOO on the rateable value of the district, producing £1987 for the year.