HOSPITAL FINANCE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1732, 24 April 1913, Page 4

HOSPITAL FINANCE.

STATEMENT BY MR. J. TREVOR,

THE BOARD DEFENDED.

REPLY TO MR. E. P BUNNY, Mr. J; Trevor (chairman of tho Wellington Hospital «m<l Charitablo Aid Hoard) made a statement to a Dominion reporter "last overling in reference to what ■was said by Mr. U. P. Bunny about the ''administration'of the board, in ait interview, published in Tin) Dohiniom yesterday. • ■ The Pathological Block. . "Mr. Bunny casts a . sovcro a'cflection on. each and alt of the members of the bsiini,". said Mr. Trevoi', "when lie suggests their inability to distinguish between what niay bo'desimblo and what 15 really necessary. There is abundantevidence .as to the necessity.of establishing the,'' out-patients' and pathological block, and if Mr. Bunny wero a member of the Hospital Committee lie would be aware that this question haa been under consideration of tho committeo for a considerable time—it is no iifijr thing and is no luxury. Everyone recognises the admirablo. administration of the ex-raedical superintendent, Dr. Ewart. bnt-since Dr. Haxdwick Smith tool: up'tho'position the Hospital and.Charitablo Aid Boards havo become ;onq. body, andithe.medical superintendent is in charge.'not. only of the Wellington Hospital and its institutions (which', has had added to it the Infectious Diseases Hospital and the'Childrens' Hospital), but of the Ohiro Benevolent Institution, Otaki Hospital,' Qtalci Sanatorium, 'and Public Health. "As to the increasing cost ,of administration,'-' . said Mr. Trevpr, "the City Council a fow yeaTs; ago had ,'a very small stall and was. run at small cost. Today it is a lingo concern, although there has been no material 'increase in.population. Like the Hospital anil Charitablo Aid Board, its scopo df operations has. .been considerably increased. >The Board's Economies.: • "Dr. Hardwick Smith," MivTrsvor continued,, "has not been' granted'leave of ftbsenco. on full pay. As he was going: Horny advantage was taken of his offer, ■ whilst at 'Home, to make the election rif, the bacteriologist; It might be pointed ont ( that 'a loan of .£lO, Of)!) ivas arranged for'carrying out the erection and cqnii>nient of tho out-patients' and pathological block, and the repayment of this loan extends 'ovi-r a period of M years. This loan was arranged for the express purpose of spreading out the cost over a lengthy period, so'as, not to press unduly cn the local contributory bodies, i_ "Tho iboard has two health inspectors, '/rawing <£19,5 and illßs. per annum respectively, not three inspectors drawing, with expenses, ,£9OO, •as .stated by Mr. Bunny. - The. total -expenditure of the public ■ health branch of the board in 1912 was <6355 9s. 'Id;,, and in 1912-13. JMi 2s. 2d. The receipts for fees, etc., amounted to ,£-1710s. and ,£l2ll 19s. lid. The expense incuiTed % the district Jiurso attending to Natlvo health'amounted to ,£(!0 ss. 2d.'for,;the.year. Her salary is paid by the Department. "Tho respectivo committee of tlu> board," Mr, Trevor '.remarked in conclusion, "havo been keenly alive to tho exercise of proper economy, with due regard 'to'efficiency. 'Hospital economy' has beeu a continual by-worj. with tho members and officers, and the Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid "Board has endeavoured in every way:, to. keep down the levies on the contributory authorities."