WESTLAND HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 May 1921, Page 4

WESTLAND HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

THURSDAY, -MAY Oth. Tlio adjourned special meeting of the Hoard was held at 7 p.m. Present--Messrs .1. J. Breeze (Chairman), Blank, Davidson. Monk, Searle, Ritchie and .Morel. The Chairman said the meeting had been called as a result of the adjourn menL pending enquiry as to the ability to raise a loan of Cti.UOB. He would ask the Secretary to read the correspondence arising therefrom. INWARD CORRESUONDF.NCE From Hon. J. C. Parr. Wellington acknowledging .resolution of Board thanking .Minister for special grant of L'IOUO in lieu of increased subsidy last year. Received. From .Minister of Hospitals, Wellington acknowledging application for permission for loan. — Received. From Dr. Valintine, Wellington, ask ing for particulars of proposed home rl Waiho. -Received and replied to. The Secretary reported that an plication to the Hokitika Savings Bank for a loan of £.‘looo had not been fa-, vourably® considered. The Chairman stated that no deli nite reply had been received from Die (iovernment. AMENDED ESTTAF \TRS. The Secretary read an amended estimate for the year, showing a reduction of £9OB on the figures supplied iri last meeting. These showed the fi I lowing required amounts from the Board—Westland Hospital .Co-156; Otira Hospital .£‘2o; Kumnra Home £1000; Rosrf Hospital £100; Benevolent grants, £650; Sanatorium £.50; S. W. Nursing £050; Industrial schools £100; Public Health £‘100; T)rs. fund Ross £2O; Dis fund Kumnra £120; Board sundries £50(). Total £8772, less hank credit balance £2o7—Balance, required CooOo. less special grant from Minister £IOOO. Net requirement £7505.

£ s. d. bevy on contributing bodies 3893 -1 6 Government subsidy 3611 15 7 The levies on local bodies to be as follows;

C s. cl Westland County 2780 19 7 (Last year £3llO 14s. lid; Hokitika Borough 921 14 6 (bast year £1144 6s. lid) Kumara Borough 100 11 f (Last year £134 10s. (id) Ross Borough 89 18 9 (Last year £llO is. 8d)

This showed a decrease on the levy of last year of £9OB. Afr Searle asked if the Doctors at Ross and Kumara could not be done without. T hey were within an hour’s motor run of Hokitika, and were far better off than the people in South Westland. Fie thought this could “be done.

Afr Blank said as far ns Ross and Tvumara were concerned that only £l2O wa.s required from the Board. He thought that more should he collected from maintenance fees at Westland Hospital. The reduction of figures made by the Secretary were infinitesimal. Ho intended to move later for a further reduction. Mr Ritchie endorsed the remarks of ATr Blank as to the two doctors. As far as the maintenance he did not think they could go below the Secretary’s figures. He was of opinion that the estimates as supplied by Mr Bruce should he adopted. Mr Afonk agreed that more pressure should he made in the collection of fees. It was necessary to do their utmost to curtail expenditure.

Mr Morel said lie proposed to pro for a further reduction of the Secretary’s figures. They had been too soft hearted in the past and felt they should in t! e future look to every possible means for increasing their receipts. He would move that the amount on capital expenditure he reduced by £ISOO and that the levy be reduced acoordingly. , Mr Davidson said he was an active member and he took on himself a? being a prime mover in moving to make tbo hospital as up-to-date as possible. He ielt that it was quite impossible to r?*

dime these levies. He gave credit to P’e Secretary for the collections made for maintenance "of patients in the institution. He considered if they reduced tlie levies they would have an overdralt at the end of the year. He did not think it should be made known that ■ the 'Board would be hard on all persons . I who entered the institution as to theii , ability or not to pay. He had at aH j times done his utmost to advance the best interests of the hospital, and defied anyone to say that money had been wasted or overspent in the upkeep of the institution

Mr Searle quite agreed with Mr Davidson’s remarks. As far as the County ratepayers were concerned he did not think they would mind paying the extra rate for another year.

Air Blank said he came to the meeting with the opinion that the estimates could he reduced by £ISOO. He therefore moved that the revised evstimates he further reduced by £6OO. Seconded by Air Morel. Mr Blank stated that whereas before the war the County Council’s levy was £I4OO odd, and now it was suggested that it be £3IOO odd, they must not forget that the cost of upkeep had doubled and in some-cases trebled during that period. Air Davidson moved as an amendment that the estimates as revised be now adopted. Seconded by Air Ritchie. The amendment was put and carried— Ayes, Ritchie, Searle, Davidson and Chairman; Noes; Alonk, Alorel and Blank.

Becoming the substantive motion it was agreed to.

Tim Chairman- then moved fixing the levy at £7505, to be payable in nine monthly instalments ending on the last day of each month ending December 1921. Seconded by Air Blank and carried.

The Secretary had previously stated in reply, to an enquiry by Mr Blank that the County Council paid up their levy the day after each meeting, while the other three contributors being backward, the Hokitika Borough paying five monthly lovie| on 30th March'." At present the levies were paid except that Kumara Borough owed £62 15s. The Chairman moved that the usual application he made to the National Bank for an overdraft up to £ISOO. Seconded by Air Blank and carried. MISCELLANEOUS;

The ease of an affected child was considered and it was resolved to defer further consideration till next meeting pending more enquiries.

The matter of the failure of the contractor for the laundry to commence work was referred to and action left to the aeting-Chairniaii and Secretary. The question of accommodation for the dairyman was referred to and eon sideration was deferred an estimate to he obtained of the cost of a hut ami a cow stall. Next meeting date wo: fixed for the 16th. ins't.

The Board rose at 9 p.m