THE HOSPITAL RATE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 74, 17 March 1908, Page 3

THE HOSPITAL RATE

•H yesterday's meeting of the lljs(Miul Hoard,'tile cnairuiuii, Air. F. Bellringer, moved Unit the Board strike and levy a rate of iiinepence in £IOO. Hi supporting the motion, he said that the Board hud lo raise sufficient money to pay the cost of maintenance of the iu.siiuilions, aud it would be of no use to strike a rate insufficient to run them as liiey should be run.

Mr. Hill drew attention to the fa A that the Taranaki County, which had been curtailed by the formation of the ; liuruy Town District, was now lo pay more than formerly. Ct. Andrews was surprised lo hear ol a proposal to increase tne rate from eightpenec to ninepence. They had been told that no higher rate than eightpenec could now be required. Mr. Burgess said that was not the position. .Mr. Tiscn had distinctly stated that the state of the funds enabled the Board to lower the rate last year, but lie could give no guarantee of continuing to levy the eightpeuce rate.

Mr. 0. Browne said he would more that the rat* be cightpcnee, as at present. If the Board had any accumulated fundi lie notieed that the doctors would immediately set their eye on it. If there were any chance of a surplus, the Health Department would be there to grab it. This was becoming a serious matter lor the ratepayers, whom it was his duty to protect. The ftew Plymouth borough was to be asked to pay tliu per annum more than last year's contribution, which in its turn was bigger than its predecessor, despite the lace that the actual levy per £IOO had been reduced. He believed the Board could manage on an eightpenny rate.

There was no overdraft now, and no reason for striking the higher amount. The chairman interposed that under

he eightpenny rate proposal the as-

sured revenue of the Board in rates an I subsidy would be very little over X'MW, and the actual expenditure ui the Board, based on last year's figures, would be

about .Cti3:Kj. In answer to Mr. llill, lie said the amount of rate even on the higher basis was not sullicient to pay the sal-

.tries, which reached £1837. Mr. J. Brown seconded the amendment. He considered the .Board eouid

manage well on the lower rate. At any rale, they could try it, and it it proved too small, lie would be prepared to support a higher rate next year. Last \ear bad been one ol extraordinary expenditure, which would not recur. i''rom his experience he was convinced that it was not prudent for a Hospital Board to have a surplus. Had they an uverdratl instead they could refuse to undertake uurks that the Health Department sprung upon them.

The chairman: They'd do the wor!;i themselves, and deduct the cost from our subsidy. Mr. Brown further mentioned that ihe larauaki County Council had lo liear lullv one-half of the increased, levy. Cr. Andrews thought it would be a yood idea lo have an overdraft to enlurce economies. The chairman summed up the portion briefly: Would the 8d rate meet the requirements for the year? He was sure it would not. Again, the Minister was going to introduce a Bill in Parliament with the object of centralisation, ll this Board now reduced its funds and impaired the efficiency of the hospital it might lose its chance ol being selected i as a centre. He was sure Ibat the increased rate would not mean 'M increato individual ratepayers, lie referr-d I to the Board's dependence on voluntary contributions.

Mr. McDonald supported the chairman. H they had a lower rate, aud an overdraft, they would have interest to pay. Better raise the money by rate, and avoid the interest charges.

ilv. Browne said that it was oil account of the proposed changes that i>e favored retaining the present lowei rate, believing that the enlarged district would mean the collection of a. still smaller one. Ijl'L them suppose Unit .CIOOU had to be raised on overdraft

for six month*. The interest would bo only £23, whilst the raising of a penny more in £IOO would mean drawing £250 from the pockets of ratepayer?. The amendment was put, and the voting was even. Messrs Bellringer, McDonald, Burgess and O'Sullivan supported the 9d rale, and Messrs G. W. Browne, Andrews, Hill, and ,1. Brown oposed. Tile chairman decided iu favor of the higher amount, explaining that lie didn't believe the Board could carry oil with less. In the division on the motion, -Mr. Hill supported the chairman's resolution, and the ninepence rate was adopted.