LEVIN BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 20 April 1915, Page 2

LEVIN BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Levin Borough Council was iield in the Council Chambers last evening. Thero were present: The Mayor (Mr B. It. Gardener), Councillors £l. B. France, It. Prouse, M. Fosella, D'. E. Parker, A. Deinpsey, D. W. Mathe6on, D. S. Mackenzie and C. Blenkhorn.

An apology was received from Councillor Lancaster for his absence.

A statement of the estimated receipts and expenditure for the ensuing year was received lrom the Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. The levy to be made on the Levin Borough is £222 10s, an increase of £30 over that of last vear.

The Mayor said that the expenditure was increasing each year and would undoubtedly increase in the future. People these days were taking advantage of {lie treatment; oifered at the hospitals. This was dire largedjfrfrj the fact that medical made such charges that people wenflßlL the hospital for treatment. Horowhenua CJountv Council's lerJtß liad increased greatly in the tTiijPsi years—about £1200. (This year it .showed an increase of £400 and the same last year. This was due to the increased valuations placed on the lands. He maintained that they should try again for severance, and approach Dr Valintine and place the present position before him They bad a better case this year than last year and should ask him for severance. He moved that the council wait upon tile County Council at its next meeting, requesting it to wait on the -Minister and Hospital-General in a joint deputation re severance. Councillor France seconded the motion. Councillor Parker said that Dr Valintine knew the position quite well. Would it not be bettor to join with the County Council and approach Parliament? He was afraid that they might miss the chaiice of placing it before Parliament. The Mayor said they had to get Dr Valintine'e consent to severance. Councillor Blenkhorn thought they «ere working on wrong lines. The hospital and charitable aid should be nationalised. He thought if the same energy had been devoted towards that end as had been to severance ttiey would , have been further ahead than at present. Councillor Mackenzie said they should try to get an 'hospital as near as possible. He was in favour of the proposed deputation. There were many fuses in this district that could well be treated at the dental hospital in Wellington, but many people in.the district were not aware that dental treatment was available. Councillor Prouse said they should move in the matter of nationalising hospitals and form a deputation to wait on the Prime Minister. Hie Mayor sa ; ( ] tile question of nationalisation had been brought under tl"> noliee of the Prime Minister. The question was not being lost sight of. He was absolutely in accord with it.. Hie motion was carried.