GREY HOSPITAL LEVIES

Hokitika Guardian, 16 July 1927, Page 2

GREY HOSPITAL LEVIES

CREYMOUTH. July 15

The increase from year to year in the levies imposed upon local bodies by the Grey Hospital 'and Charitable Adi Board was the subject of some caustic criticism at last evening’s meeting of the Grey Borough Counil. The matter was brought up when a letter was rend from the secretary of the Grey (Hospital Board advising the Council that the borough’s year ending March 31st, 1928. amounted to £4830.

The Mayor IMr J. W. Greenslade) took strong exception to the heavy increases in the Hospital and Charitable Aid rates. which had now reached more than one-third of the total rates collected by the Borough Council. It. appeared, he said, that year after year the- levy kept soaring up without any protests being made. It. was only right that everything possible should be done lor the sick and needy but hospitals, like any other institution, required some check being placed upon their management. Continuing, ho said that the outstanding accounts owing to the Grey Hospital Board over a period of five years totalled £28.175. Without inflicting any hardships, he thought, the Board could easily collect a reasonable amount of its outstanding debts. An average total of 75 beds was occupied at the hospital, which should bring in £11,700 yearly, blit the annual revenue amounted to only approximately £SOOO. These figures were based cm the period covering the past five years. The Borough Council had to sue for its outstanding rates and there was no reason why j the Hospital Board should not make efforts to obtain payment from those who could well afford to pay. Cr. T. B. Bitty also expressed strong disapproval of the Board’s increased levy. Tie moved that a letter he sent to the Board protesting against the in. crease, and stressing that the strictest economy ho observed in the tutuie. also urging the Board to make every endeavour to recover a reasonable amount of outstanding debts. Ci'. F. A. Kitchingham seconded the motion. He stated that the question was becoming a national one.' He did not know of any other institution where expense had increased b> 50 per cent in one year. Apparently a policy of drift, had set in and the expenditure was going up by len T s and hounds. The time had arrived, said ,Cr. Kitchingham. when it was necessary that the Council should cooperate with other public Indies m calling on the Government to curtail hospital expenditure. * C r . J. O’Brien said that from Ins experience the poor people paid what they could but other people who could well afford to pay escaped their obliga-

tions. After other Councillors had expre.s. od their views on the matter, the mo lion was put to the meeting and carried unanimously.