HOSPITAL ESTIMATES.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 April 1922, Page 5

HOSPITAL ESTIMATES.

SYSTEM OF ECONOMY. GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT. The estimates for the 1922-23 financial year were laid before the Taranaki Hospi* tai Board yesterday by the general manager (Mr. E. Holden). In explaining the estimates, Mr. Holden stated that last year the capital commitments were more than anticipated, owiflg chiefly to the number of extras to be provided for. For example, the new nurses’ home had been in the hands of the builders for practically three years, and during the greater part of that time a clerk of the works had been engaged at a salary of about £3OO a year. This expenditure was, of course, in addition to the contract price for the building. To complete everything at the home he considered that £2OOO above the contract price was needed. The* only way to keep the levy down to that of the former year was to do so from the ordinary revenue, and, with this end in view, he had gone carefully into the revenue account. In framing the estimates the amount shown was the maximum allowed, and this fact should be impressed upon the heads of the various departments so that the amounts indicated should not be exceeded.

Detailing the variations in thia year's estimates as compared with last year, Mr. Holden said it was hoped to save about £4OO in hospital provisions, £3OO in surgical and medical appliances, £5OO in fuel, £l5O in laundry and cleaning expenses. As regards salaries, Mr. Holden said he had increased these by £llOO, an outside estimate, on account of an increasing staff, notably in the appointment of an engineer and fireman. Other estimates were much the same as before. The hospital allocation was £17,700, which was about £lOOO less than last year. Estimates for relief had been reduced by about £lOO, and for the farm by £lOO also. The district nursing allowance had increased by £lOO, owing chiefly to the giowing importance of the Opunake nursing station. The cost of administration, he estimated, would be about the same as last year, probably, if anything, slightly less. The estimate under the heading rent, rate. l ?, taxes and interest would be more this year owing to the greater amount of interest to be paid on an amount of £6OOO borrowed from the bank. On the receipt's side the amount from hospital fees had been estimated at £6500, which was about £6OO less than last year. A lesser mount was expected from donations compared with last year. “We must make savings to meet extra amounts we are called upon to pay from the capital expenditure,” concluded Mr. Holden. An inspection of the statement of estimated receipts and payment for the year ending March 31, 1923, showed that, under maintenance, the estimated receipts for the year were £28,399 compared with actual receipts for 1922-23 of £28,241.