THE HOSPITAL CONTRIBUTION DISPUTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2306, 21 April 1887, Page 2

THE HOSPITAL CONTRIBUTION DISPUTE.

Auckland v. Waipa and Waikato. | BY TELEGRAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Auckland, Last Night. In the Supreme Court to-day the case of the Auckland Hospitale and Charitable Aid Board v. Waipa County Council came on. The claim was for £238 14* Bd, being the amount of defendant council's assessed contributions for the last year towards the maintenance of the Auckland hospital. The amount was equal to a rate of one twelfth of a penny in the £. Mr Theo; Cooper, instructed by Messrs Hesketh and Richmond, appeared for the plaintiffs, and Mr Bell (Crown Prosecutor of Wellington), and Mr Hay, of Waikato, for the defendants The case by the same plaintiffs against the Waikato County Council, for the recovery of £277, was also called, and the same counsel appeared. Mr Cooper argued that although a separate district was created at the end of last session it was not intended to come into force till the end of the year. Mr Bell contended that the division came into force at once, and Waikato had since provided for its sick and poor. Judge Ward said the matter seemed to him very easy of settlement. If Waikato had been dependent on Auckland since the passing of the Act it should pay ; if it had provided for its own wants Auckland ought to make considerable concessions. Mr Bell stated that Waikato had offered to pay one-half. Mr Cooper stated that he had not heard of this before. If he found that Waikato had made provision for its own sick and destitute, as described by the. counsel for the defence, he would strongly • advise • the Auckland Board to accept a compromise, and coming with the weight of a recommendation from the bench, he had no doubt it would be favourably considered. The case then adjourned till to-morrow.