Palmerston Hospital Board.

Manawatu Herald, 10 March 1894, Page 2

Palmerston Hospital Board.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held on Thursday. Present— Messrs G. M. Snelson (chairman), Taylor, Kendall, Park, Bansorae, Nye, Ravenhill and Saxon. Amongst other business! . the following discussion took place on the annual rate : — The Chairman luggested that a rate of 5s lOd be struck for the pur* pose of liquidating existing liabilities and meeting the year's requirements. He pointed out that it wai not necessary the whole rate should be collected in one ions, of that it should be rrholly called up. Objection had besa caken co ih& proposal to divide cho present liabilities over two years, and thui make tbii y«ar'i rate 4s 6d, on the ground that it would be conducive to better manage* « ment and a more satisfactory state ' of affairs if the difficulty were met at once and the whole liability paid off in one year. Mr Taylor supported the Chairman's suggestion, and pointed out that if the Board did not strike a sufficient rate to cover liabilities, it would be acting contrary to^-itbi spirit of the Act, which set Ibrth that it was the duty of Boardf^to make such levies as would be neeei* sary to meet all requirements. Mr Park was also in favor of striking a sufficient rate to pay off liabilities. He had informed the Bank manager that a sufficient • rate would be struck to pay off the over* draft, and he thought the '■■ members of the Board should not be held responsible for the overdraft longer than necessary. The **Jte was very much less than that which adjoining Boards usually struck. Mr Bansome said the Board had power to anticipate its revenue, and he was not jn favor of striking a higher rate than 4s 6d per 4XOOO. Many of the looal bodies had heavy overdrafts, and they retired all their surplus funds to make 'and repair roads. * Mr ftavenhill thought the arrangement with the Bank should be carried out. It would be better to levy a sufficient rats and be done with it. He did not think it was right to hold the members responsible for the overdraft when the amount could so easily be collected. Mr Nye said it was not right for the members of the Board to get out of office and leave a debt behind them. He was in favor of atrikini a rate to cover all liabilities. ■-"" Mr Bansome said the Manawatu ■ County Council had discussed the matter and they thought a rate of Af 6d for twe years would be the beet course to pursue. The looal bocUet had understood that the rates would be increased. If the rate was increased it would be difficult to reduce it again. Mr Saxon said he would vote for a higher rate being struck for oat year only, on condition that the Board undertake not to raise another overdraft. ; The Chairman said the whole trouble had arisen owing to the -f sewtrage to the hospital having bnen forced upon the Board. 2fo I mistake had been made by the i Board, and the public if they had any sympathy would give the Board credit for able administration. If the suggestion was adopted it would' j not be neoeessary to collect the * whole of the rate in one num. The rate would oover all liabilities including, the overdraft. He moved that » levy of 5s lOd per «10QQ b*

collected from tbo local bodies in the district and that the sum of 8s 4 d per £1000 be allocated for hospital expenditure, and 2s Gd for charitable aid expenditure. - Seconded by Mr Taylor, and carried V without dissent. It was decided to notify the con r tributing local bodies that a portion of the rate not exceeding 3s would be required within three months. - Standard.