HOSPITAL EXPENDITURE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20017, 16 August 1939, Page 4

HOSPITAL EXPENDITURE

PROTEST AGAINST SYSTEM i BURDEN ON THE LAND COOK COUNTY VIEWS A protest against • the present method of rating for hospitaL purposes was voiced at a meeting of the Cook County Council to-day, when proposals for additions to the nurses’ home were submitted by the Cook Hospital Board.

Cr. S. T. Gray, a member of the Hospital Board, explained the necessity for the additional programme of extensions to the nurses’ home, and said that the .hospital was suffering from a shortage of nurses. The full work it was proposed to undertake would prove a considerable saving in the future.

“We are compelled to agree to this expenditure,” stated the chairman, Cr. W. G. Sherratt, “but without casting reflections on anybody I think we should 1 write to the board protesting against hospital expenditure. It is rising so fast that we will have to cry a halt some time."

Cr., E. If. Baker expressed appreciation of Cr. Gray’s work as a representative of the county on the board. lie said he realised that the hospital was under-staffed, and that additional accommodation must be provided, but it was evident that the ever-increasing burden of the hospital on the land was becoming too heavy. The council, however, must agree to the expenditure with the best grace possible.

Cr. C. Tieljcn: If we do not make some protest, it will be an unending burden on the ratepayers.

Cr. M. T. B. Hall believed the position would solve itself eventually, and that the Government would be forced to alter the incidence of taxation to relieve the burden on the land.

“The thing will come to a head sooner-or later,” Cr. HalL added.

The chairman’s proposal to send a letter of protest to the Cook Hospital Board was carried unanimously.