PATEA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 87, 13 April 1938, Page 12

PATEA

COUNCIL NOMINATIONS

Messrs. R. J. Bromiley, A. H. Langslow, S. Fuller-Sandys and W. Field have been appointed by the Patea electorate representation committee, following submission by the Patea branch of the Labour Party. Mr. E. F. Hemingway's nomination as Mayor was officially received. It is understood that Crs. D. Roots and F. S. McKenna are not seeking reelection, although Cr. McKenna, who topped the poll at the last election, may be persuaded to change his mind if representations that are at present being made succeed. Crs. F. Naimith (deputy-Mayor) and R. W. Haddow will again offer themselves for re-election. THE WATER TOWER Repairs needed on the water tower, as stated in the engineer’s report, were viewed with concern at Monday’s meeting of the Patea Borough Council. The position was considered to be so serious that an expert’s advice is to be sought. TRAFFIC BRIDGE The Borough Council was informed by the resident engineer, Public Works Department, on Monday night that definite information as to the fate of the present traffic bridge could not be given. In all probability it would be demolished. Pedestrian accommodation would be provided on the new structure. HOUSE INSPECTIONS Mr. J. Gunn waited on the Borough Council on Monday night and asked that where a Government inspector or architect inspected a house the council should issue the permit but the fee should be nominal. At present, where Government loan houses were concerned, inspection was duplicated and the cost was high. Cr. Haddow: Government inspectors have been very much wrong in other places. It was decided that as the Government inspection was to see they were getting value for the money loaned and the borough inspection was to see that everything was in accordance with the borough by-laws, the council was unable to deal with the matter. AN OFFER REFUSED The offer of A. G. Reid to purchase the whole of the sections in Egmont Street between McKenna’s residence and the Fire Brigade Station, for the erection of an up-to-date bowser station was not entertained by the Patea Borough Council on Monday. PATEA HOSPITAL BOARD

In view of proposed additions to the existing building accommodation at the Patea Hospital, the board will seek by way of levy the sum of £5268 16s 2d from contributing local bodies during the current year. The estimates setting out in detail the board’s proposals were adopted at a meeting of the hospital Board yesterday. The estimates presented by the secretary, Mr. W. F. Sheild, were as follow: Maintenance levy £3643 16s 2d, subsidy £2913 9s Id, total £7557 5s 3d. Capital expenditure amounts to £6515, including new buildings £6265 and sundries £250. Of the proposed capital expenditure £1625 will be collected by way of levy from contributing bodies, a similar amount by way of subsidy and the balance of £3265 from charitable bequests on fixed deposit. The proposed capital expenditure is to provide additional accommodation for the nursing and domestic staff, including additions to the present nurses’ home.

The proposals for the extensions necessitated by the introduction of the shorter working week and the consequent staff increases, were explained to the board by the architect, Mr. J. A. Duffill. It being agreed that the expenditure was inevitable, the board authorised the preparation of plans pending approval of the estimates by the Minister of Health.

Members of the board agreed that the method of financing by way of a levy was preferable to the raising of a loan. It was explained that while it was anticipated that the capita] levy to be imposed would cover the whole cost of the work, any further expenditure would have to be provided from the following year’s capital lew. A certain amount of dis-

satisfaction was experienced with the system which made it imperative for a retiring board to embark on an expenditure policy, the results of which would be reaped by a succeeding board.

The Valuer-General advised that the approximate capital value of the rateable property in each contributory local district as constituted on April 1, 1938 for the Patea Hospital district for lhe purpose of the 1938-39 levy was: Patea Borough, £167,798; Waverley town district, £108,516; Patea County. £3.203,133. Dr. W. T. Simmons, medical superintendent. reported that there were 31 patients in the hospital on March 1. 37 were admitted, one died. 37 were discharged and there remained 14 males and 16 females.

Miss A. L. Harris, matron, reported

that Staff Nurse Adams had resigned from the position of permanent night nurse and Nurse Lee was on annual leave. Staff Nurse Clarkson commenced duty on March 14. In order to comply with the regulations regarding the domestic staff, it would be necessary to engage and accommodate at least four extra maids and one porter. SENIOR RUGBY DRAW FOR FIRST ROUND The draw for the Patea eenior Rugby team in the Southern Taranaki division is as follows: April 30: Hawera v. Patea at Hawera. May 7: Athletic v. Patea at Patea. May 14: Patea a bye. May 21: Waimate v. Patea at Patea. May 28: Patea v. Kaponga at Kaponga. June 4: Opunake v. Patea at Opunake. 11: Okaiawa v. Patea at Patea. PERSONAL The presentation of a fountain pen and pencil was made to the Mayor. Mr. F. Ramsbottom at Monday night’s tournament by the Patea Boxing As* sociation, in recognition of his services as president, before he departs on a trip overseas. Mrs. M. Ballard and Miss G. Tompkins will spend Easter at Hamilton. Mrs. T. E. Roberts has returned from Paraparaumu. • Mr. and Mrs. G. P. Pettigrew and Robert are at Rotorua. Mr. S. Crawford is on holiday in Wellington. Mr. and Mrs. L. P. Clarke arc on holiday in Auckland. Miss Joan Clarke will spend t’ Easter holidays at Hawera.