The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 1928.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 April 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 1928.

HOSPITAL ADM IN ISTK ATION. A good deal of satisfaction is being expressed by those directly affected by the hospital levy at the reduction it has been found possible to make this year by the Westland Hospital Hoard. The reduction will be a welcome one to tbe local bodies affected, which in turn in the. event of an increase would have had to pass the burden on to the ratepayers. A fortunate combination of circumstances has assisted tho Board at this period. A year ago it was decided the main capital expenditure being finished at the institution, to curtail all general expenditure as far as possible. It was also decided to endeavour to raise during the year a .substantial sum by special appeal byway of voluntary contributions to assist the funds. The Board did not reach the maximum intended mainly because South Westland was not tapped. lint a large sum was raised which was at once complimentary to the collectors and some material tribute of appreciation to the past work of tho Board, the worth of which was in a notable way recognised. The Board

Here tore was nole to rinse its hunncial rear with a. surplus, anti that meant a reduction in the requirements for the year now being entered upon. The excellent management of the local institution is brought to mind by a comparison with similar institutions on the Coast, and in fact we might go further afield if necessary, and glean hv comparison that maintenance hero is on a, generally economical basis. The figures for 192 G-27 are fully sot out in the annual Hospitals report for the Dominion. In the matter of levies. Grey raised £731.5 from the local bodies with Government subsidy, £9815. Boiler collected £3997 and £5371 and Westland £2329 and £3325. The average number of occupied beds was: j Grey G 0.9, costing £197 9s each; Duller,. 38.1. £258; Westland -12.8, £l 17. As regards total expenditure the figures are: Grey, £25,429; Boiler, £IG.9S9 and Westland £9,977. In the matter of staff. Grey members 45, Duller .32. Westland 29. These figures are impressive and could he added to by further comparisons, but enough has been quoted to indicate the general trend of matters. Of course Grey has a much larger population to enter for. and therefore needs to he better equipped. Duller has a lesser population, and Westland the least, hut the number of patients treated at the throe institutions do not show the same disparity in figures. What applies to the general hospital refers practically to the upkeep of the Old Peoples' Homes in the three centres. The cost under this head is: Grey £5935 (.37 patients) : Duller, £1436 <19.9 patients) ; Westland. £935 (12.5 patients). The contributing public here may feel therefore that a degree of management is maintained which gives an economical result quite satisfactory under com-

parison. At the same time those familiar with the local institution will feel that the degree of efficiency locally is entirely satisfactory, and that the Westland Hospital has for many years stood in high rtymte because of its efficiency. Such being the case, a feeling of satisfaction will be felt that maintaining that reputation, it is possible to carry on without increasing the rating burden on the ratepayers. The position should also encourage more being done in the way of rollin'* tary contribution!?. Til '.appreciation and with the knowledge that the in, stitution is being well and faithfully managed, thorn is no reason why

Hospital Day might not be inaugurated annually. A very good beginning was made on the suggestion of Mr Jeffries last year, and that effort might well be repeated this year, and if properly organised should result in even a larger sum being raised, for alter all the principal centres in the south were not touched. In many countries Hospital Day is a well founded institution, and it should be so established here. All have access to the hospital in emergency, yet many do not contribute through the rates. In the old days of the Coast the residents of the district took a particular pride in helping the financial side of the upkeep, and as the members of the Hoard are so selfsacrificing in many ways they would be more encouraged still by additional voluntary support.