HOSPITAL LEVIES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1748, 13 May 1913, Page 5

HOSPITAL LEVIES.

A JOINT PROTEST. I.OCAL BODIES TO CONFEIt. .Headers of Tub Dominion will be fairly familiar with the outcry which-has been raised by several of tlie local bodies contributing to the. funds of the Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid' Board. In several eases borough councils, county councils, and road boards havo protested against the big jump in the amount of Die levies, which comes particularly hard on them this year when they have to faca their proportions of tho eo>t of reconstructing the Hutt lioad. The protc'-t followed hard upon the declaration of the levies for the current year, which were first commented on by tho Mayor of the Lower Hutt (}lr. J5. P. Bunny). A scries of article,.? appeared in The Dominion giving information about the cost of administration of tho Hospital and Charitable Aid Affairs in tho Wellington district. Tho Miraniar Borough Council took the matter up, and addressed a circular letter to all the other bodies concerned asking them to co-opcrate in a joint protest against tho high levies inado for the current year, and suggesting that the different bodies should ask for an explanation of the rise in the aggregate levies from .t:ill,7lG in 1912-13 to ..C10,770 in Answer? to tho above letter have been received by the Minimal' Borough Council as follow:— From the Wellington City Council— "Formal acknowledgment of the receipt of tlis lei tor." From the Onslow Borough Council— "In reply to your letter of the 19th lilt. I am_ instructed to inform you that my council is prepared to join in the protest against tho auove as suggested by your council.—l am, dear sir, your obedient servant, Harry Abraham."" From tho Olaki Town Board—"l am directed by the Otaki Town Board to say that they are willing to help in any way to make a protest against (lie high levy made by the Hospital and Chariiable Aid Board.—Yours faithfully, M. Ayre." From the Johnsonvilio lioad Board—"l have to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of Ift instand in reply I hereto I am directed (a inform you that this board co-operate with your council *n protesting against tho high levy made by the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board for the current year. Commissioners Thompson and Jerusalem were appointed to act in this matter. Kindly advise what steps .it is proposed to take, and if rt meeting is to bo held so that our commissioners may attend. I may say that the whole of my board are. in full sympathy with tho movement. —Yours faithfully, 11. Mills. Town Clerk." From the ICarori Borough Council: "In reply to your letter dated April 19 I am directed by the ICarori Borough Council lo inform you that my council will be only too pleased to co-oprrato with your council ill ,inv action, or attend any deputation, which may bo considered advisable io protest against the great increase, in tho levy for tho Hospital and Charitable Aid.—Yours faithfully,, W. F. England, Town Clerk." From tho Lower 'Hutt Borough Council: "I am directed lo acknowledge the receipt of your communication of April 19 in 'regard to tho increase in the Hospital and Charitable Aid levy for tlio ciirronl.year over that of last year, an<l in reply I havo to say that whilst tho council approves of your proposal it lias decided also to make representations on tlio subject to the Hon. Minister for Public Health. This council is of tho samo opinion as the Miraniar Council that some explanation is rerinirod in the matter. In vicsv of Iho decision above referred to, I am directed to suggest that ft conferonce of Mayor? of the boroughs and chairmen of the other local authorities interested should be hold at an early date with a view of approaching (ho Minister on the subject of hospital expenditure. I shall be glad if you will let mo know whether this meets with tho approval of your council. It is proposed that tho eoniference should take place at the end of tho week after next or the beginning of the following week.—Yours faithfully, Percy 1?. Purser, Town Clerk." From Ihe Petono Borough Council: "I havo to acknowledge receipt of your letter of April 10 re tho Hospital and Charitable Aid'• levy, and_ in reply to say • that my council will 'co-operate with your council in a joint protest fo be made to the Wellington Hospital am! Charitable Aid Board against the high levy which has been made for tho current v;ar.—Yours faithfully, W. J. Gardner, Town Cl«rk." From the Upper Hutt Town B"ard.: I am directed to that tH Upper Hutt Town Board will be pleased io co-operate with your council as suggested in your letter of Apr'! 19.—Yours faithfully, A. J. M'Curdy, Town Clerk." _ On inquiry at the office of the Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board yesterday, the secretary (Mr. ,T. .Coyle) paid that levies for tho first quarter of the current voar were due on ,May 1, but so far none had been paid. CONFERENCE PROPOSED. .As more than ono body has expressed the opinion that a conference should bo hMd to discuss tho matters referred lo above, the Miraniar Borough. Council, at its meeting this evening, will discuss the maltor, and prjbably fix a date for a conference.