HOSPITAL CREAM

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 209, 19 July 1939, Page 3

HOSPITAL CREAM

Sir, —In reply to the letter of Mr. J. T. Merry, re hospital cream— I give the following facts and figures for the information of the ratepayers and the public and will leave it to them to form their own opinions of my actions. At a meeting of the board, when the hospital farm was being discussed, I asked for the full figures of the farm account, to try and clear up the point, as to whether the farm was a paying concern or not.

At the next meeting a farm account, for the year ending March Mist., ID3D 1 , was presented, showing a deficiency of £l3 16s,■ 3d. Alter some discussion, the matter was deferred until next meeting. At this stage, it appeared to me, the general impression was that the farm was a doubtful asset and the question arose, “Would it be better t-o lease the farm and buy milk and vegetables” ? .

Knowing the food value and', the importance to health of milk, cream and fresh vegetables (perhaps better than Mr. Merry), 1 realised the necessity of getting more ’ facts and figures about the hospital farm, on which to base any action that may be taken. Also in fairness to the farm manager, before the next meeting, 1 investigated the farm returns and accounts and interviewed the farm manager. and at the June meeting presented a. farm account showing a credit balance of £7O 13s 6d, and a report showing how 1 arrived' at that balance and comments of points open to discussion and' criticism. A summary account and report is attached. To clear up some points raised during the discussion on the account and report, the. chairman and 1 interviewed the farm manager and reported to the meeting on July 7Hi. that proper checks and records of farm products were kept and my accounts showed the approximate financial position o! the farm. After receiving this report the board decided to yet a monthly statement from the farm manager, and that the cream allowance to the hospital be reduced from three pints a day to one pint a clay, the extra erea.m to lie sent to the factory. 'lbis allowance of cream is still twice as much as the average for New Zealand. All these accounts and reports and discussions have been in open board meetings at. which the Press was present. I have an idea that if more Hospital Boa nil meetings are conducted under the same conditions it would be better for everybody. Thanking you for your valuable space. J. 1). CLABK.

Farm Account for Year Ending March 31st., 1939.

The difference in the figures is accounted for by the facts that 1 allowed, tho farm account—(l) Al.ilk 1/3 per gallon, instead of 9d per gallon. (2) Cream ]./- per pint instead ol Gd per pint. (3) Cabbages 6/- ]>or doz. against 3/- doz. (4) Cauliflowers 9/- per clotfen ngainst 3/- doz. (5) Lettuce 2,/G doz. against l/-doz. (G) Green peas 4d a pound against 2d. per pound. (7) Beans 2d per lb. against Id per pound. (8) Pumpkins 9/G doz. against 6/per dtozen. (0) Spinach 2d per pound against

Id per pound. (10) -Cucumbers 2/- doz. against 1/dozen. ' ' - ' Questions for Discussion Value of the services of farm-man-ager doing tliei porter’s work/ when porter is on holiday. A relieving porter .would cost more. Only, one pig sold during year. No jneuiion of potatoes. • Would butter cost more if hospital were not supplying factory. Would it be better to buy weaner pigs than keep a sow. Report No rent charged against farm, or interest oil'capital. The. milk consumption is one and a,third times..the-..average for N.Z. and is tlie best food and one of the cheapest. ' " The cream consumption is 7J- times the average. Patients- have as much cream ;>s-they want. Some may 'be used fhr'.cooking'. .. ..- : 'ldie \7jgyt\lbjes - are five-sixth of average. Extra! vegetables may lie giv-tO'-or bouglitHiy the. hospital. ' If the - had heetf tlie the- average, and the extra cream sent to the factory the returns would have boon about £3o ; ’ more. If these items had to be less of them probably would be us|ujj' but .something extra would have to .be substituted in place ot' tlieni.

Milk 1825 gals, at 1/3 .. £11,1 1 3 •Cream 1234 pts. at 1/- .. 30 17 0 Vegetables 30 (i 3 Pork sold 3 14 0 Factory payments 81 18 10 £300 13 6 Wages Farm Manager .. £180 0 0 Wages Sundry Hny-mak-ing, etc 5 15 0 Farm Maintenance, Manure, Seeds, etc 20 5 0 Electricity (c s t. share) . . 0 0 0 £2300 0 Credit balance 70' 13 0 £'300 13 (i