H.—22a.

50

~ 124. Wairarapa District Hospital Board. —Section 31 : The proposals contained in this section with regard to the gradual reduction of subsidy during the six years following the passing of the Act meet with the unqualified disapproval of this committee. Under existing conditions a very large number of persons in the Dominion escape liability for contribution towards the cost of maintaining its hospitals and of charitable aid; one-half of the total cost is a direct cost upon the land; to increase this by 50 per cent, will inflict a very grave injustice upon landowners, and it is only right that the remainder of the people of the Dominion should, so far as it is possible to compel them to do so, through the Consolidated Fund, bear not less than one-half of the burden. 125. Nelson Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. —That this Board considers that separate institutions should not receive more favourable financial considerations than Boards. 126. Coromandel Hospital Trustees. — Section 62: That a subsidy of £1 for £1 from the Government to all moneys subscribed as at present from a District Board should be continued. Also, that an endowment should be made to institutions to avoid as much as possible contributions from the ratepayers' funds, as it is difficult to maintain an ever-increasing road service in such counties as this. Endowments. 127. Ashburton and North Canterbury Charitable Aid Board. —Some provision should be inserted in the Bill for setting apart Crown lands as endowments for the purposes of the Act. 128. Westland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board and Westland Hospital Trustees. —That it be a general recommendation to the Government to set aside as special endowments for hospitals and charitable-aid purposes portions of the Crown lands of the Dominion. POWERS OF HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE AID DEPARTMENT. General Control. 129. Reefton Hospital. —The Trustees recommend that the Government should take over the whole control of the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Boards throughout the Dominion, the same as is done with the mental hospitals. 130. Inangahua Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. —This Board is strongly in favour of the Government taking over the administration of all charitable institutions and providing for their maintenance out of the Consolidated Fund, the same as lunatic asylums, old-age pensions, and education. Withholding of Subsidies. 131. Picton Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. —The words " or any " in the latter part of section 31 should be struck out. 132. Wairarapa Hospital Board. —That subsection (4) of section 31 be deleted. 133. North Canterbury Hospital Board. —Similar to above. Staff Appointments. 134. South Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board and Waitaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. —That the latter portion of section 23, relative to the appointment of any medical officer or matron, be deleted. 135. Waimate Hospital Trustees. —Similar to above. 136. Stratford District Hospital and Charitable Aid Board and Waitaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. —That the latter portion of section 23, relative to the appointment of any medical officer or matron, be deleted. 137. Oamaru Hospital Trustees. —Similar to above. 138. North Canterbury Hospital Board. Similar to above. 139. Wairarapa District Hospital Board. —Section 23 : The power to appoint officers, matrons, nurses, attendants, and servants should be extended to committeemen and Trustees of separate institutions, as well as Boards, and the provision that the appointment of a medical officer or matron should be subject to the approval of the Minister shall be eliminated. 140. Ashburton Hospital Board. —Clause 23: The words from "provided" to "Minister," at the end of the clause, be struck out. 14-1. St. Andrew's Orphanage. —Section 23, line 38: After word "matron" the following words be inserted: "to any institution under sole control of any Charitable Aid Board." Or, as an alternative, omit the word " matron." 142. Nelson Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. —That, in the opinion of the Board, the appointment of a matron should be left entirely in the hands of the Boards. Expenditure. 143. Stratford District Hospital Board. —That the words "expenditure up to £100 be exempt " be added to the last words in section 21. 144. Wairarapa District Hospital Board. —Section 21 : The committee considers this section should be made more elastic by the insertion of the words " involving an expenditure of more than fifty pounds," after the word " alteration " in line 23. 145. Ashburton Hospital Board. —Clause 21 : The words "not exceeding fifty pounds" be added. 146. North Canterbury Hospital Board. —Clause 21 : After the word " institution " (second line) this Board would add the words, " involving an expenditure exceeding two hundred pounds," and read thus: "No institution shall be erected and no addition or alteration shall be made to any existing institution involving an expenditure exceeding two hundred pounds," &c.