, 1916-05-06

Peters Farm Hospital th0h at fteuetlhSieu
Hospital. Government was investigating
why especially the amount for mnlntenance
was so high, and already with the help Of the
Hospital Commission this item had been
brought down; it had TO a certain degree
been caused by the high prices on loodstutfs.
The servants hire had also gone up, tins
was due to the Miuistry's decision that con
v~alescent patients could not any longer be
used for light work.
With regard to the Leper Asylum the in
crease vas due to the high prices on food
stuffs. The maintenance was now larger
than before, because the number Of patients
had Incl eased from some 80 to some go.
The amount to paupers was Ian ger, because
there had been more sickness, and besides
this amount had alwnys been considered as
approximately estimated.
The Prison Departments increase was due
to the same reasons: the high prices on food
stuffs and M increase of prisoners.
Then there was The Postal Department.
The amount of 10000 Frcs. to The Telephone
establishment was due to The increase OF sub
scribers, the amount will be laid to the teIe-
phonpfund. 1t was a necessity. The money
was to be used for the long lines ana to pay
for new apparatus; when we tirst have started
the telephones we cannot refuse new sub
scribers.
Under Divers Expenses was proposed a
support to former policeman jackson, who
had been discharged by the P~o!icemaster IN
Christiansted. For some time the Police
master had been dissatisfied, and especially
one day Jackson had behaved himself III IL
disrespectful manner towards his superlors
which had caused the Polio emaster to DIS
charge him. Government had got a report
about the matter from the Polcenasier md
approved of the step taken by HIM. On the
other hand Jackson had served for so many
years, that there was some reason to give
him a support, and Government proposes
Frcs. 1900 yearly, 20 dollars n month, which
amount is made out III accordance with The
usual rules for pensions for functionaries.
The Municipal Committee hns so far APP
proved of it, but the minority has stated as
it's opinion, that the amount should be larger
and proposes 30 dollars Il month. Govern
ment must maintain it's proposal which is, AS
snid, in conformity with the usual rules fol-
lowed in such cases and | recommend 1t to
the Council for it's adoption.
With regard to the building expenses
there was especial reason to mention the re-
pairs at Peters Farm Hospital. The new
Kings Physlciau had found the present hos
pital kept in d manner very little to the hon
our of the place. He considered it strictly
necessary that these things be granted, if he
was to do his work properly.
Under Uncertain Expenses the refundmeHt
of customs duty is in conformity with the
rules always followed.
With these remarks His Excelency recon-
mended the Money Bill for adoption.
The Chairman (Stakemd1tn) LIST Discus.
sion is opened. l will ask the Vice Chair
man to take the Chair.
The Vice-Chairman (Couler) took the
Chair.
lst Member for Christiansted Town
(Stakemann). The money bills presented
here to-day amount to nearly 10000 Frs,
that will with the other Additional Money
Bills give a deficit of about 40, 300 dollars or
Fir. 200, 1000.
I am afraid that our revenues are pretty
well exhausted. There is yet. by the pru-
dence of the Ministry of Finances an emer-
gency Fund, not intended to be used for the
yearly budget, but for some unforeseen
calamities such as hurricane, earthquake and
the like; we have in former days experienced
hurricane and have had to rely on Denmark
for aid.
s Sc of the Colonial Law says. that when
the Municipality has a deficit the Govern