HOSPITAL RATE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13635, 14 April 1908, Page 7

HOSPITAL RATE.

DISCUSSION BY THE BOARD. THE INCREASE CONFIRMED.

At yesterday's meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board Mr G. \V. Browne moved to rescind the resolution passed at the preceding meeting, striking a rate of 9d in the €100 for the ensuing year. In support of his motion Mr Browne urged that thero were several items of expenditure in last year's statement which were not likely to be recurring charges. For instance, the statement showed the cost of buildings and repairs for the year to be £588. He could not believe that they would be called upon to expend an equal amount this year in repairs and maintenance to buildings. Then there was an item of £9 11s for duty on surgical instruments, labour at grounds £10 4s, extra nursing £18 12s, surgical instruments £246, and kitchen chimney £15J making altogether £886. The 8d rate produced £1568 18s 8d and the 9d £1718 18s lid— a difference of £150, which with Government subsidy amounted to £300. They would, however, save at least £400 on the items he had drawn their attention to^ so that it was not necessary to strike the 9d rate. He 1 did not agree with the principle of raising the rate in order to get an increased .subsidy from -the Government. It was not fair to penalise the ratepayers for this purpose. If his motion were carried he intended to movp that the rate should he Bd.

Mr J. Brown seconded, endorsing the arguments brought forward by the proposer. Mr Burgess did not think opinions wore likely to hnro altered much since last meeting., ,The expenditure which had been quoted might not occur again certainly, but one could never tell. It was generally the unexpected that happened. Ho was in favour of the higher rate.

Mr McDonald was opposed to tho motion. He said the Board must provide for contingencies; and it was far hotter to have a little balance in hand than go to the hank.

Mr O'SulJivan said ho saw no reason to filter his previous opinion and would continue to support the increased rate. The Chairman said it must V borne in mind tho whole hospital was antiquated. It was about twenty years old and was in need of constant repairs. It was absurd to think that it could continue to give good service unless from time to time considerable suras were spent on it and up-to-date appliances installed and sanitary arrangements attended to. The outside was now in a bad state and required money spent on it. There was no dining room for women, and it was only by spending money on tho building that erection of a now one had been deferred. It had been stated that over £2000 wns collected from patients in fees last year —nearly the largest in fche Dominion— and surely the patients had a ri^ht to have the;/best that could be given and the staff :to be. afforded all that was necessary -to enable them to carry out their , work in j>' *propor manner. Unless mdncy waa spent this cftuld not he none. ■ , .t Mr Androwfc^as in-favour of the nioi ion to reduce the fate. After farther discussion the motion wis pui to the meeting and lost. Messr.x Browne, Brown, and Andrews Mere in favour mv) the Chairman and Mf-ssrs Bur ( »i.Ks, Hill, O'Sullivau, and IMcUonulu against.