HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS BILL.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1239, 8 June 1880, Page 2

HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS BILL.

Tins Bill contains 8-3 clauses. It repeals the existing Acis md Provincial Ordinances on the subject. It 16 not to applyto lunatic asylums or to reformatoiy institu ions. By Oider-in-Couneil hospital-, and charitable aid distru-is ukiv bo established, altered, or abolished ilospir il> or cliirit.ible in-tit.u(.iuu& are to be brouyht under the Act. L'Viil grants in aid .ue to be fixed ou a yiveu piopoitiou of contribution by local bodjesto be fixed. Tne p*oportious of contribution by subscriber entitle them to vote. .lso the nutnoer of the members of the Bo.ud. The date when the order is to come into opei.itiou i.s to be stited. Readjustment may be made as occision requires. Poi\s'>n>, or the body adniinistuitiiitr the affair ■> oi uiiy hospittl of charitable institution, shall continue the administrator of the sune urtii coming- iuto office of the iiist B mil dectcd umkr thi^ Act. Hospital ami Ciiaiif able Aid Boa> db are to be u'eoied. The fir-t election is by the c jutiii»ur«»rv local bodies. After the fiist elet Lion the -übbuiibors aie entiled to \oLe The (iuveinor to appoint a time lor the ih< meeting 1 . Auy per -.on qualified to be elected as a member of the County Conn cil, crouch Council, or JRoad Bo ad, or qualified as a subscriber, i-, eli»-ibl'> to be elected a member of the B >avd. The Council of contributory loc il bodies, is to have one vote for contribution up to £100. two up to h2.)0, threc_ up to £350, four up to £J0(), | and five for sums exceeding £500. The scale of votes to be given by any contributory local body is to be estimated after the rate of the contribution appointed by the Governor-in-Council is to be paid by such body for the year next ensuing. _ Two or more contributory local bodies together contributing a sum less than £100 can be reckoned as one body for the purposes of the Act, ami may vote at the elections. The machinery provided for the election by local bodies and subscribers is both by ballot. Members are to retire annually and be eligible for re-election, the Board to agree what members shall retire, the Governor, in case of both failing, to agree. The proportion of retiring members to be decided equitably at the annual election to supply vacancies. If the election is not held, or invalid, the Governor may appoint. Acts of the Board not to become void for informality. New districts may be constituted, and apportion liabilities, etc., between the Boards of the new districts. The Colonial Secretary may appoint an arbitrator it the Board cannot agree : the award so made to be final. The Boards to be incorporated. The Board is to have the management and control of the hospitals and charitable institutions, and the distribution of charitable aid. Power is given to delegate the management in certain cases. Bye-laws may provide for the election or paitial election of committees for that purpose. Byelaws are to set forth terms and conditions of management, and may also regulate the election of the committee. The Board may establish and regulate branch hospitals and institutions. Previous provisions to apply to the Board, who may make grants for out-door relief, and attach conditions to such grants. The Board to appoint the medical staff, assistants, nurses, etc., with power to remore the medical officers, &c. They may appoint a secretary and other officer-, and fix the salaries of officers. They have power to make contracts, sign and seal the same. Contracts above £20 to be by public tender. Composition upon the breach of contracts may be made if advisable. Real and personal property to be vested in the Boaid, the property' to be held on the same trusts as before. Outstanding debts are payable to the Board, and outstanding liabilities are payable by the Board. Contracts, agreements, See, may be enforced by or against the Board Members are not ppr.-onally responsible. Lands reserved may be gianted to the Boards ; also lands reserved previously to the Act being brought into force. Power is given to the Board to lease lands, the leases te be sold at auction, the proceeds to go to the funds. The rent to be increased, for

extended leases. Boardd may acquire lands, &u., by grant, boque«t, &c. Boards may ufili-e the land* fur hospitals, &c. By-laws may bo made for general management, and aie to be piiiilcd ; copies thereof to be m evidence. A copy of Iho by-laws to be posted in a conspicuous place. The Governor may dis.illow any by -law. Bylaws are to be coTihistent with tlie public law. Pcmltics for a bieach of t'.ie bvl.iws is a line of MO, or thieo months imprihoiuncnt. Contiaots for maintenance in hospital o.: charitable institution maybe entered into, and persons reoeivingrelief arc liable for the same. No ir relations are unable to contiibute. The Public Trustee in to contribute in certain cases. The Hospital and Charitable Aid Fund is to consist of ni»ney arising from grants by the General As^emMy or contributory local bocli s, eoilcct'oiis of subscriptions, rents, interest, or o her proceeds of property vested in tli- Board. The fund is to be banked, and paid by cheque signed by the tieasur 'rand countersigned by two members authorised by the Board. All suc'-i moneys, are ro be expended by the Board in the construction, maintenance, and repair of I mil dm -s necessary for the purposes of hospital or chant ible institution, in p tymeiit of debts and liabilities incurred in the a 1 ministration of the Act, ir« grants for the pui poses of eh »ritabl<> aid, and generally in the payment of all charge-- and expenses incurred by the Board in carrying out, the Act. The Bo i rd may take all necessary steps for providing tunds f-n- the maintenance of any hospital or charitable institution vested in it, or under iu> control, or for obtaining the means to aiford charitable aid, and may appoint persons to collect voluntary subscriptions or donations for all or any of such purposes, and receive and collect from the contributory local bodies in the district contributions which they m%f be required to furnish from time to time. Out of the money appropriated by the General Assembly for the purpose may be paid to each Board during the financial year a sum not exceeding one pound for every pound of grant by the contributory local bodies, subscription 1 -, receipt-, or donations received by such Board, exclusive of receipts from the proceeds of land and endowment-, additional bubsidy for money expended in the repairs or erection of buildings, the amount to be paid not to exceed half the net cost of the maintenance. Contributions from local bodies are to be in proportion of population. Contributions m areas may be recovered as a debt. The local bodies may pay contributions out of ordinary fund, or levy a rate where the Counties Act, 1877, is not in force. A County Council may set apait a portion of the County fund, for the purposes of the Act. Every rate authorised under the Act is to be struck, made, levied, and collected in all respect with the same powers, rights, and authority as rates for general or ordinary purposes. The Board' is to keep books and accounts. Separate accounts are to be kept of the proceeds of lands and endowments Like accounts are to be kept of all moneys granted or received for special objects. The books are to be balanced yearly, the accounts to be audited, as provided for by the Public rievenues Act, 1878.