THE WAIKATO HOSPITAL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 54, 1 November 1907, Page 3

THE WAIKATO HOSPITAL.

Increased Expenditure

King Country to Contribute.

A deputation consisting of Mr A. Bell and Mr Atkins, the architect for the Waikato Hospital Board, interviewed the Hon. Geo. Fowlds, Minister-in-charge of iHospitals, with regard to the financial affairs of the Waikato Hospital Board. The deputation was introduced by Mr Greenslade. Mr Bell urged upon the Minister the necessity for placing upon the Estimates this year, a further grant towards the new Hospital buildings. For years the Waikato Hospital district had borne the burden of nursing a large number of patients from the King Country and other non-contri-buting districts. Fully one-fourth of the patients treated in the Hospital came from these sources, which had entailed a great drain on the resources of the contributing local bodies, the Waipa County alone contributing between £7OO and £BOO last year, and the other local bodies were placed in a similarly unfortunate position. He pointed out that since the present contract was let for over £15,00, it had been found necessary to incur a further liability, which would probably amount to £BOO, for the purpose of reinstating andjimproving the old Hospital drainage system. Mr Bell further urged the Minister to push on the necessary legislatiou this session to enable the' Board to mortgage their freehold, and also to bring the non-contributing counties, Kawhia, Awakino and Waitomo, within the hospital district, otherwise, the present contributors would suffer great hardship next year in having to pay an abnormally heavy levy. " The Hospital and Chai'itable Institutions' Act, 1885," provided machinery to bring them in by the Governor's proclamation.

The Hon. Mr Fowlds replied that the grants already given by the Government were in recognition of the heavy claims made on the Waikato Hospital district by the non-contri-buting districts. There was always a difficulty in revoting an amount already granted. Considering the limited means at their disposal he did not think it possible to grant the full amount asked for, but he would do his best. With regard to the inclusion of the non-contributing districts referred to in clause 3 of " The Hospital and Charitable Institutions' Act, 1885," this would be put in hand at once. As to the others it might not be possible on account of the large amount of business yet to be done to deal with them this session. However, he would take an ear!)'- opportunity during the following session of dealing with the question. With regard to the question of the Board mortgaging its freeholds, he would push on the necessary measure, which he had little doubt would be passed during the present session.