COST OF HOSPITAL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 9, 10 May 1939, Page 5

COST OF HOSPITAL

THE BOROUGH'S SHARE

INCREASE IN THE LEVY

The Whakatane Hospital Board's estimates were before the Whakatane Borough Council at its meeting on Monday night. Levies to be made on the council were shown as: CapL tal £74 7s lid, maintenance £729 9s 7d, a total of £803 17s 6d, representing a total levy of .420 d on the rateable capital value as against .357 d last year. V

In a covering letter it was stated that hospital maintenance of £10.000 aws the largest single 5 amount. Last year this exceeded the estimate bv £1012 91s 3d and it was-sure to in. creaes further this year owing to the necessity for reducing working hours and increasing the wages of the staff.

The letter added that it would be recognised that the increase was considerably less than that made by other boards and on, this account i'was possible that the board would be faced with a deficit. The reaction scaused by free hospital tren.t. ment under the Social Security .Scheme were difficult to forecast, but no provision had been made in' the estimates for a possible increase in the number of patients presenting - themselves for treatment.

The board also notified that it proposed to raise a further loan of £1500 -to cover additions to domestic staff quarters, a new cow shed and piggery, tennis courts for staff recreation and concrete paths round buiHL nigs.