FUTURE MANAGEMENT OF HOSPITALS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XI, Issue 751, 27 February 1878, Page 3

FUTURE MANAGEMENT OF HOSPITALS.

The following important communication from the Government was read at the adjourned hospital meeting held last evening :—: — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, February 14th, 1878 Sib, — The Government, on talcing office, found that the hospitals and charitable institutions throughout the Colony were being managed upon no fixed principle or system, and that it was absolutely necessaay to place them on a more satisfactory footing. Up to the end of December, and till the new Financial Arrangements Bill took effect, it was impossible .to change the existing state of things ; but from that date the principle Government have endeavored to bring into operation is one which is at once cotrprehensible, uniform, and practical. In the larger towns, Government have hitherto maintained a most unsatisfactory control and paid the expenditure, recovering it, however, from the Borough subsidies. In the outlying localities and at Hokitika a grant iv aid. differing in some instances, but commonly 20s for 20s of subscriptions has been given, the local body taking charge as a Hospital Committee. It is proposed for the future wherever possible to place the hospitals of the large towns under the direct control of the Municipalities, and to subsidise them to the extent of 20s for every 20s of subscriptions ; and as the remaining cost would fall on the Boreugh funds, to make no deductions whatever from the subsidies. .In the outlying hospitals, although it is desirable that an elected body should have the control and management of the hospital, still where a committee exists Government will continue the grant in aid equal to the voluntary subscriptions, and make no charge on the subsidies whatever. It will be necessary, of course, to satisfy the Colonial SecretaTy, as hitherto, as to the amount"of the voluntary contributions ; but Government do not desire to interfere in any way with the local management of those institutions. — I ha*e the honor, &c, (for the Colonial Secretary) G-. S. Coopbb.