CHARITABLE AID AFFAIRS.

West Coast Times, 12 June 1912, Page 3

CHARITABLE AID AFFAIRS.

BOARD’S AFFAIRS SEVERELY CRITICISED. INTERIM LEVY AGREED TO. At tiie meeting of tho Westland County Council yesterday a letter was received from the Westland Charitable Aid Board, notifying an interim levy of £l5O per month, and asking appointment of throe delegates to conference on Thursday next for the purpose of considering the position of the present administration.—Received. The Chairman moved that the Council resolve into committee to deal with the communication.

Cr. Ferguson seconded. Cr. Ward; Why go into Committee? Ir it not a public matter?

The Chairman said that if it was the wish of the Council to discuss the matter in open mooting ho did not object. He mentioned that he had entered an emphatic protest at the last meeting of the Board against tire Council being called upon to pay £196 per month by way of Charitable Aid.

Cr. Duff asked the Chairman whether ho could suggest any method by which tl'.o .expenditure could bo reduced. Ho said he. could not see how this was to be accomplished unless some of the institutions in the district were closed cr the contributions largely increased. Cr. Ward said it seemed to him that the Board had got into deep water and the mejmhers wore in a most inexcusable position. He was not satisfied that the Board had administered the affairs entrusted to them in a satisfactory manner, and ho believed that their extravagance was) about on a par with other local bodies, the members of which did not make anr endeavour to conserve the funds at their disposal—they were continually overstepping tjie amounts available. He had heard reasons for the extraordinary expenditure of the Board. This was said to bo duo to the cost of building a hospital at Otira and the furnishing of a doctor for South Westland. The one matter which was of more importance and which caused the ratepayers of the Wetland district much concern was the high cost of 'administration. 'lt might mean eventually, that the Minister of Hospitals would recommend tho reduction of hospitals in tho district, or at least a special rate if the present high cost was maintained. lie was not in lavoui of a conference. What could throe delegates do to assist tho Board’s representatives? In any case, he supposed the conference meant more expense being incurred by way of travelling expenses, and lie was of opinion that it would bo like heaping coalon a lire.

Tho chairman: What would you do to reduce tho cost of administration?

Cr. Ward; It seems to me that if the members of the Board wore the direct representatives of tho people, instead of being elected by the various local bodies, it would be an advantage to tho ratepayers to whom the Board would then bo responsible. Tho chairman said the expenditure last year was :C62 less than tho previous year. Cr. Ward: I do not know whether any of tho members of tbo Board are making money out of it, but rather than put up with tho existing evil they should remove the cause. The chairman referred to extraordinary expenditure and instanced the cost of the Otira hospital, via: TDK): renewal of tho Tutara Hospital, £188; of which ,CA;G was subscribed by the Boss people; cost of the ambulance van, £180; £",() of which was subs'silted locally. Tlmse amounts lotall-

cj £1774. lie referred to tin 1 over<tii «(■ £IB4O. Continuing i.lu' chairman said, tho Hoard required ,£2OO per month for tho {Westland Hofepital. Was tliis necessary ? and waM it necessary lor the Hoard to expend £lllO per month in collection with the Knmara Hospital, and £BO for the Totara institution? He pointed out that for the South Westland doctor’s salary £l-70 was subscribed towards tho total cost of £4OO per annum. As they had preferred not to go into committee lie would not say what ho intended to as his remarks were not for the public. Something would have to he done immediately. If the County refused to pay tho proposed interim levy, it would result in an inquiry being held. A similar commission had cost something like £2Ol, some fourteen years ago. What did tho inquiry result in? Nothing; and instead of decieasing tho ratepayers burden it was incro;ved. The existing state of affairs would never he any hotter until tho Board was directly responsible to the people. At tho present time they were responsible to nobody. Ho referred to the fact that tho Government had foisted tho Hospitals Bill upon them. This, he said, was largely responsible for the present unsatisfactory cof dilion of affairs. He averred that two was no ether way to right matters than to hold a conference, which ,would mean two docent day’s work. He would attend the conference iif

elected) and would go there to pull to pieces anything that required unravelling. Although a member of the Beard ho would do this as the jq.iesoutativo of the ratepayers.

Cr. Ferguson stated the affairs of 'the Board showed a deplorable state of affairs. He had no hesitation in saving that ho would vote against the proposed levy. There was a screw loeso somewhere. The amount requir-

Ed by the Board was more than the whole of the animal revenue of the Beard. Where was the money to come from for their roads, tracks, and bridges. It seemed to him that the Board had drifted into a state which called for the strictest censure. What was causing it? 'While ho sat at the table bo would strenuously oppose the expenditure of every unnecessary sixpence. The present state of affairs was something disgraceful and he expressed the opinion that the sooner they shut up the Council Chambers | and called upon the Charitable Aid ' Board to appoint their own ratc-eol-icctor, the better it would be for the people.

Tlie chairman here read the amount of the levies paid since 1897, to 1911, as followslß97, £97 8s 4d; 1898, £9B; 1899, £62; 1900, £66; 1901, £74; 1902, £64; 1903, £67; 1904, £7l;

,'1905, £7O; 100G, £64; 1907, £69; 1908, £9l; 1909, £107; 1910, £103; 1931, £ll3, For the coming year £196 was required. Cr. Normau objected to the large amount), expended by way of charitable aid. It seemed to him that the conference would bo useless and would no? reduce tho cost of administration. Ho took strong exception to tho expenses paid to members of the Board in connection with tho investigation of their books by the sub-committee of t!;e Borough Council. He regarded them as excessive.

The chairman remarked that instead

of the inquriy lasting about 12 hours it had taken seven days. In regard to Mr. T. Kennedy’s expenses, ho had put in a man at 14s per day, while in audition to tins he had to pay 8s per daj for his board while in Hokitika. Cr. Clifton said lie thought some good would result from the conference. Ho remarked that the uniformity of cost was not borne equally and instanced tho payments of Kumara, which wore altogether too low. The people of tho county contributed 11s per head, Hokitika Borough 10s, Kumara 4s, and Ross 3s 7d. lie thought the cost of the conference would not bo heavy. Or. Murdoch contradicted Cr. Clifton in regard to the amounts contributed by tho Kumara people. Cr. McGuigan would welcome the holding of tho conference. He felt that it would have a. good effect. Cr. Murdoch spoke at some length in the same strain.

Cr. Ward said lie would consent to act provided that ■ representatives aculd not draw any expenses. It was a, matter of principle with him, and be was not in favour of one penny being drawn by members.

Members signified that they wore in favour of adopting this course. CTs Ward, Norman and tho chairman were then appointed to represent tho Council at tho conference, which is to commence its sitting tomorrow (Thursday) morning) at ] 1 o’clock.

It was moved by Gr. Ferguson that the interim levy bo the same as heretofore.

This was seconded by Cr. Ward. Hio Chairman moved an amendment and Cr. Clifton seconded. that £l5O bo the amount.

The amendment was then put and carried, Crs. Murdoch, AlcCnivan. Dull, Clifton and tho chairman, supporting;, and Crs Ward, Norman and Ferguson dissenting.

The ordinary business was then proceeded with.