HOSPITAL LEVIES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1724, 15 April 1913, Page 6

HOSPITAL LEVIES.

ONE BOROUGH TIRED. i . REMARKS'BY MAYOK OF HUTT.' At last evening's meeting of the Hutt Borough Council, a communication wns received from the secretary of tho Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board informing the council that their levy for this year would be ,£lOll 9s. 4d. Tho Mayor (Mr. Bunny) stated that last year's ■ contribution was .£750, . and tho present levy asked was 331 per cent, more, or about XI per head for ratepayers of Lower Hutt. He had been risked tho reason for this' increase, and the only answer was the extraordinary system of levying contributions. There was no representation of the local bodies concerned on tho board, and tliero was no assurance that the amount would not be raised to .£2OOO or .£3OOO in the future. Tho absence of representatives from local bodies on the board was a wrong system, and it was time that tho Government was approached with a view to having tho system altered. The board, in their estimates, hod made provision for an out-patients' and pathological block, which would cost .£BOOO, and which would incur an expenso in maintenance. This might or might not be necessary, but it was clear that tho board could pass any sum on its estimates, and all that the council could do was to pay up. It might, of course, be possible to ,get a concession, either from the board Sr the Minister. Other bodies had taken up tho matter, and it was obvious that something should be done. He did not .know of another case where this system existed. Authorities had said that v any hospital was a "cemetery for doctors." It would 1,0 a cemetery for municipalities if this kind of thing wore allowed to exist. He hoped that a conference'of local bodies would be held, and some representation made .to the Minister. An informant had told ■ him that , the main hospital building needed repairing, and this would incur a further exponse. In conclusion, Mr. Bunny expressed the opinion that all local bodies contributing to the funds should be represented on the board's estimates forwarded for perusal. Councillor Roots agreed with the Mayor. The council should strongly protest against this increase. Councillor Ball was of tho opinion that hospital control was wrong, and the whole thiugvshould be supervised by tho Government. Councillor Kcmpthorne thought that the hospital was of little benefit to Hutt. as only l a small percentage of local patients were received at that institution. I'etoue had a population nearly double, with far more natients, vet their levy was .£IOO less. The council then proceeded to other business. . ; ■