24
REPORT ON THE
the institutions 36 . 6 per cent. In 1884 the corresponding figures were 66 and
34. The income from local sources amounted to Rs. 21,039, of which Rs. 16,958
were received as interest on investments. Rupees 3,716 were received as European
and native subscriptions against Rs. 6,381 in 1884.
112. The expenditure on establishment was Rs. 32,224, against Rs. 31,598
in 1884. This shows an increase of Rs. 626 over the figures of 1884, which
is said to have been due to the pay of two officers being increased by the
orders of the Governors. Bazar medicines cost Rs. 1,944 against Rs. 1,924
in the previous year. The increase is not explained. Europe medicines
cost Rs. 8,195, against Rs. 6,556 in 1884, shewing an increase of
Rs. 1,639, which is explained to have been due to a greater number of surgical
instruments imported, and quinine used in larger quantities. Dieting articles
cost Rs. 6,562, against Rs. 6,456 in 1884, shewing an increase of Rs. 106.
The increase was due, it is said, to 1,217 more patients being dieted.
The average cost of each diet was the same as in the previous year, viz., 2
annas 10 pies. The charges on miscellaneous items were Rs. 9,742 or
Rs. 1,709 in excess of that of 1884. The increase is said to have been due to
new beds, gas fittings, and gas being supplied. Building charges were less
than those of 1884 by Rs. 1,945. The amount expended in 1884 was Rs. 2,177.
There remained at the end of the year a cash balance of Rs. 5,266.
113. The expenditure on these institutions and the Government con-
tributions towards their support are matters that have lately arrested the
attention of Government. The following statement will show to what extent
the invested funds have increased in the past eight years, as well as the cash
balances at the end of every one of those years:—
Invested funds.
Invested in
the year.
Closing cash
balance.
Rs.
Rs.
Rs.
1878 ... ...
3,22.400
10,000
639
1879 ... ...
3,32,400
. . .
629
1880 ... ...
3,32,400
2,500
3,515
1881 ... ...
3,34,900
2,500
1,393
1882 . . . ... ...
3,37,400
5,000
1,611
1883 ... ...
3,42,400
. . .
6,685
1884 ... ...
3,42,400
5,000
5,760
1885 . . . . . .
3,47,400
. . .
5,266
114. It will be observed that in these eight years the invested capital has
increased from Rs. 3,22,400 to Rs. 3,47,400, or an addition of Rs. 25,000. It
will also be observed what large cash balances remained in the latter years not-
withstanding that large invesments were made. The cash balance in 1878 was
Rs. 639, in 1879 it was Rs. 629, but in 1883 it was Rs. 6,685, in 1884 Rs. 5,760,
and in 1885 Rs. 5,266. If these large balances do not help to purchase Govern-
ment securities to swell the funds, it may reasonably be asked why they are
so large. They should not exist as long as Government contributes towards
the support of the institutions, and as I suggested in my report of last year,
the Government contribution, if to continue, may be confined to such an
amount as the difference between actual expenditure and the total income from
other sources may indicate.
115. The amounts spent on buildings and repairs in these eight years
is as follows:—
Rs.
1878 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7,983
1879 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3,159
1880 ... ... ... ... ...
33
1881 ... ... ... ... ...
801
1882 ... ... ... ... ...
8,353
1883 . . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
2,600
1884 ... ... ... ... ...
2,177
1885 ... ... ... ... ...
232
Total
. . .
25,338
116. But the flourishing condition of the funds and finances of these institu-
tions exists and continues notwithstanding the yearly increase in the total expen-
diture. In 1883 the total cost was Rs. 55,124, in 1884 it rose to Rs. 56,745,