CONTROL OF CHARITABLE AID EXPENDITURE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3151, 31 March 1909, Page 5

CONTROL OF CHARITABLE AID EXPENDITURE.

SEPARATING WAIRARAPA FROM WELLINGTON. JOINT PROTEST PROM LOCAL BODIES ADVOCATED. The question of the decision of the United Charitable Aid Board to place the maintenance of the Victoria Hospital (Wellington) under the control of the Wellington Hospital Trustees was brought before the Borough Council meeting last evening by means of letters from the Eketahuna Borough Council and the Hon. A. W. Hogg. The Town Clerk of Eketahuna Borough wrote enquiring if the Masterton Borough Council proposed to take action to resist the inclusion of the Victoria Hospital on the Charitable Aid Account. His Council strongly resented the additional burden being placed upon the country districts, and thought that the present was an time to advocate the separation of the Wairarapa from the United Charitable Aid Board area and the formation of a Wairarapa Charitable Aid Board on the same lines as the present Hospital Board. The Hon. Mr Hogg's communication was to the effect that he thought the procedure of placing the Victoria Hospital under the control of the Wellington Hospital Trustees was irregular, but Mr T. Hodgcns, of Pahiatua, and himself had been outnumbered at the meeting. The Borough Council had the right to appeal under the Act. He asked what was the use being represented on a Board where its representation was absolutely helpless. The Mayor said he did not think that there wasjnuch use in moving in the matter.

Cr Ewington 3aid that he thought the Council should support the Eketahuna body. An effort should be made to organise a conference in order to effect a severance of Wairarapa from Wellington. He moveJ that they communicate with the local bodies affected asking them tojjoin with Masterton in advocating the separation. After a short discussion the motion was carried unanimously.