HOSPITAL LEVY

Timaru Herald, Volume CLI, Issue 22253, 22 April 1942, Page 4

HOSPITAL LEVY

Increase Of 14 Per Cent

Estimates Adopted By

Board

A rate of ,4819 d for each £1 of rateable capital value as compared with ,4213 d last year was struck by the South Canterbury Hospital

Board at a special meeting yesterday, when the estimates for 194243 were adopted. ■■ The new rate represents an increase of 14.38 per cent.

The levy ot be paid by the contributing local bodies as compared with last year's contribution is as under:— 1941-42 1942-43 £ £ Timaru Borough Council 9,210 10.631 Temuka Borough Council 638 734 Waimate Borough Council 867 996 Geraldine Borough Council 323 370 Pleasant Point Town Board 174 198 Geraldine County Council 5,362 6.126 Levels County Council .. 5,085 5.801 Mackenzie County Council 3,740 4.281 Waimate County Council 8,675 9,899 Totals £34,074 £39.041

Treasurer's Report In his report to the Board covering the estimates, tffe treasurer (Mr H. G Naylor: stated that the financial year closed with a credit of £149 5/2, which was carried forward to the current year's accounts. The receipts from all sources amounted to £107,985, being £4804 more than the estimate. This excess was due to one month's Hospital benefits (£1706: short paid in the preceding financial year being paid in 1941-42, and an increase in the occupied beds over the estimated number, for which Hospital benefits were received. The total expenditure on account of maintenance was £89.954, being £3954 more than the estimate. The reason for the excess expenditure might be ascribed wholly to the emergency conditions, which were accentuated by Japan’s entry into the war. During the vear equipment and supBlies8 lies were increased appreciably, with re result that the value of stocks in the bulk stores at Timaru Hospital and the Infirmary were approximately £2OOO more than they were last year, and, in addition, supplies to the value of £lOOO had been distributed to various points in Timaru and outlying districts. This expenditure represented goods which would be available for use m the event of no emergency arising.

Estimated Receipts ", Referring to estimated receipts. Mr Naylor said that these were set down at £32,770, being £9Bl less than last years estimate. Payments for maintenance purposes were estimated at £92,965. being £6965 more than last year. Tire principal increases were salaries and wages £2392 and refund to Treasury £2170. There would be an increase of £9OO in emergency precautions equipment to cover the cost of the establishment of emergency hospitals and protection against air raid risks.

Capital payments, continued the report, were estimated at £18,635, being an increase of £1362 over last year. The net maintenance expenditure was estimated at £59,660 compared with £52,972 last year. The total net expenditure was estimated at £78,681 compared with £69.500 last year. The chairman (Mr E. Macdonald! congratulated Mr Naylor on the very full statement he had presented. The figures had been put before the Board in a manner in wnich they could be easily digested. They were not up so much as they had expected, the increase being 14! per cent., as against the 25 per cent, they had anticipated. In reply to a question by Mr J. Acland, MP., Mr Naylor said that the total levy in 1929-30 was £21,110, and the Geraldine County had paid £3278. Mr Naylor added that in 1890 the levy was £2738, but at that time there was no Geraldine County. Mr C. E. Kerr asked how much had been spent on buildings in the last 10 years, Mr Naylor giving the figure as approximately £llO,OOO. The estimates were adopted.