HOSPITAL RATING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 27, 27 November 1945, Page 5

HOSPITAL RATING

PROPOSED /^IALGAMATION

AGAIN

COUNTY TO MEET BOROUGH

At Tuesday's- meeting of the Whakatane County Council it was decided to accScle to the Borough Council's request with regard to a December meeting for the purpose of discussing the proposed amalgamation with the Waikato Hospital and further to invite the Chairman of the Whakatane Hospital Board to attend* The date of the suggested conference was fixed for December 18. The whole controversy has now taken on a new aspect and hinges 011 the outcome of the anticipated amendments in the Government's policy with regard to hospital administration and' following the Select Parliamentary Committee's report and recommendations.

Lji tabling the details of the report (as printed in our last issue) the County Clerk submitted a statement which showed how stabilising the rate at an average figure over the years 1935/39 would still give a Very favourable comparison to Wau kato. The figures were:— Waikato Bay of Plenty--1935/36 -174 .220 3 930/37 .193 .292 1937/38 .232 .322 J 938/39 .2.14 .357 .853 1.191 Average rate .21325 .29775 The 'report continued to show that the last: Year Book No. 18 gave the rateable capital value of the County at £2,503,174. For the current year this figure would probably he increased by £5,000-£O, 000. 11 the Local Government Committee's report were adopted, and had the Whakatane County been part of the Waikato Hospital Board District, then the new rate would be say £2 230. As it was. on the basis sug-

gested by the Local Government

Committee the Whakatane rate un. , der the Bay of Plenty Hospital Board ■would be say £3,110. A Vid rate, assuming 60 per cent of the Native rate collected, would producc £2030. A 3 A<I rate again assuming 00 per cent of the Native rate collection, ■would produce £3011.

From a perusal of the Local Government Committee's report, he was unable to say if tlie reduced rate of £2224 would apply if the Bay of Plenty and Waikato Hospital Boards were now amalgamated.

Discussing the matter the chairman <Mr J. .L< Burnett) said he could assure the council that from a statement made to the recently held County Conference bv the. Minister of Internal Affairs there would be no amending legislation in the present session. He personally did not think there was a chance, of easing the present burden within eighteen months.

The letter from the-Borough Council in reply to the council's, request for a further conference was read, it expessed regret at being unable to meet earlier than in December, as it was hoped to have the Government polffcy clarified by then with regard to future Hospital taxation. It also conveyed the opinion that the Hospital Board Chairman should be invited to such conference.

The Chairman: Both- the Board und the Borough, say wait until we see what legislation the Government is going to introduce.. I enn't see that we would be any better off. If the Waikato rate were applied to us we would then be making a definite saving. Cr Cawte .said that even if the scheme, to merge the whole district were to fall through, his. riding definitely wanted to break away from Whakatane and share in the improved services from Waikato under the Rotorua Hospital administration. The whole matter had been drifting along too long.

The Clerk observed that if amalga. mation were effected by March. .?1 it would mean a saving of approximately £3000 to the ratepayers.

The Chairman said he had not the slightest objection to the Hospital Board being represented at the conference but he was keen to bring the matter to some finality.

It was agreed to write the Borough Council pointing out that the matter had now been drifting on lor

some time and that if suitable the 18th December be fixed for the next conference. In accordance with the the Chairman of the Hospital Board would be invited to attend.