THAMES HOSPITAL BOARD

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4555, 24 April 1923, Page 2

THAMES HOSPITAL BOARD

ACTIVITIES OF LAST TEBMi RESUME BY REPRESENTATIVE. As the Paeroa Borough representative on the Thames Hospital Board Mr P. E. Brenan prepared the following statement, concerning the board’s administration for the year ending on ‘March 31, 1923 “As the local representative on the above board 1 feel that a brief resume of the operations pf the board will possibly serve of some use in dispelling the adverse criticism that is frequently levelled at the board’s administration. due probab’y to the poor account published of the board’s business. “During the past year the number of in-patients treated has been 819, out patients 2111, for which the board make no charge, preferring to give the advice and assistance of their staff free to those unfortunate enough to require it. “The number of operations amounted to 321, there being 1 death under the anaesthetic. The total number of deaths during the year was 36, ?f which number 24 were over 60 years of age and death was due principally to senile decay, and of the total number of deaths 6 occurred within 21 hours of the time of admission. The .total fees charged amounted to £5714 5r lOd, of which amount £2498 Ils 7d has been collected,, which serves as an illustration that the board and their administrating officers arc ever ready to extend assistance to those requiring the same. “The District Home, which in mv opinion is a comfortable institution, provides a home for those early settlers who by reason or their age require that amount of care and comfort to enable them to pass their declining years in comfort, and contentment. The number of inmates at the end of the year was 22, and th? revenue of this portion of the institution has been £694 4s 2d, a,nd the cost of mainetnance £l6lo’ 14s 4d, and I say that the cost to the ratepayers is one which, in view pf my foregoing remarks, no one will cavil at. “ In connection with indoor and outdoor relief, I am bound to say in justice to my colleagues on the board that any case requiring their consideration, after careful investigations, has on all occasions met with their support, and as far as Paeroa is concerned,, the amount, paid under th? above heading has been £429 2s lei, which is equal to 2s 3d of our last year’s levy. This, in my opinion, dispels the idea expressed by some people" that the Thames Hospital Board is not a sympathetic one. I have commented on the generous side of ihe board’s administration, and in connection with the other side (the hard side of finance) I can only say that the Thames Hospital Board is, according to the official returns,, the second economically administered hospital in the Dominion. It must, therefore, be admitted that the ratepayers' interests are fully conserved by the board, and its members are confident that their work is appreciated by the inhabitants of its districts. “I am glad to say that, the heavy tax on the ratepayers fori the upkeep of this institution will be reduced during the present year. The levy on this borough will be £476 7s Id, as against £605 4s last year, a reduction of £l2B 16s lid, which, in view of the financial position of many ratepayers, will be appreciated by them. All the other contributing bodies’ levies will be pro rata reduced in accordance with their population an.l valuation. I trust, in conclusion, that my remarks will be of some interest t.) those who take an interest in public matters.’’