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Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18367, 28 April 1925, Page 11

TO THB EDITOR 0? "THT. Sir, —While not altogether sigrceing with the statements made in your issue of the 24th, under the heading "Soldiers' Sanatorium," I would like to challenge the - statement made by the chairman of the North Canterbury Hospital Board to the effect that in the soldiers' sanatorium nearly double the amount was expended per man, as compared with the consumption sanatorium. In going over the figures supplied by Mr Otlev, I find that in the matter of provisions, -which heads the list, tlie individual cost per annuJii works out—Upper Sanatorium £sl 12s, Lower Sanatorium £53 Is, a difference of £1 !)s in favour of the Lower Sanatorium. Surgery and dispensary works out at exactly the same figure, £3 3s for each institution. It will seen, therefore, that for these two most important items, instead of nearly double being spent on the exsoldier, in reality £1 9s per annum more is being spent on the inmates of the Lower Sanatorium. In regard to the next two items on tlie list, domestic costs and salaries and wages (£10,737 8s 8d), I am afraid Mr Otley will have to supply details before any inmate of this institution will be able to understand where the money goes. In conclusion, Mr Otley states that no alterations have been made so far, but they will be made sooner or later. Just what does he mean? —Yours, etc.. ONE OF THE UNFORTUNATES. April 25th.