WESTLAND HOSPITAL BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 9 April 1929, Page 2

WESTLAND HOSPITAL BOARD

MONDAY, APRIL Bth. A special meeting 5f the Board was held at 8 p.m. Present:—Messrs J. J. Breeze (Chairman), G. Davidson, R. Meliarry, E. A. Wells, M. Keenan, A. 13. Spiers. INWAR D CORRESPONDENCE. From Department of Health, Wellington, in reference to capital works for next year received; authorising £750 bank overdraft for first three months.—Received. From Valuation Departments, Wellington, notifying rateable capital viilue in Westland Hospital District: — Westland County ... £745,850 Hokitika Borough ... 355,046 Kumara Borough .... 22,553 Ross Borough ... 19,801 Total £1,143,250 The rateable total ifor the Dominion is £587,079,560. —Received. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT. The year just closed shews a record number of patients treated, viz., 477, being an increase of 87 over last year. Notwithstanding this fact, our expenditure on Westland Hospital shews a slight reduction, evidencing the fact that there has been no unwarranted expenditure. The other items appear to remain about that same as previous years. In the estimates placed before you, the payments to bo made are on the usual lines. Wc have to make provision for a Medical Officer at Harihari and some much-needed repairs to several buildings, whereas the receipts show a decrease in two or three items, which readily accounts Ifor the small increase in the levy on the contributing local authorities. Taking into consideration the excellent service rendered to the community by the Westland Hospital and other services of the Board, we can confidently assort that the ratepayers are receiving full value for their money, and are amongst the lowest rated in the dominion, while our Hospital is shewn in the Department’s White Book as the third lowest in the Dominion per occupied bed. I commend the estimates to your carolul and •favourable consideration. —Received. THE ESTIMATES. Tlie Board considered the Estimates for tlie ensuing year. The total expenditure for the year was estimated at £10,300 general account and £571 capital account. The estimated receipts were placed at £4,550, leaving a balance to he levied olf £6,180 18s Del, of which the contributing bodies would find £2771 15s 4d (as against £2374 last year) and subsidy from tlie Government £3409 3s sd.

The Estimates as produced and amended were approved and it was resolved to forward them on to the contributing bodies Tor consideration and approval.