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101
Staff.—The staff consists of a Mechanic Superintendent and Engineer, who is also Engineer
to the Hospital; one assistant engineer; one fitter's mate; and 15 motor drivers.
There are thus 15 vehicles to be manned and a night service to be maintained with only 15
drivers.
Of the 15 motor drivers two are wholly employed on Vehicles Nos. 4 and 6 (Table 1) six are
allocated to six school 'buses and Vehicle No. 1 (Table 1) namely, the Crossley school 'bus, which is
used as a relief school 'bus and also does work in respect of the conveyance of school meals, and one
driver is on the Disinfection Van. This leaves six men to man four ambulances and do the miscellaneous
work. The work of these six men is supplemented by the spare time of the six men on the school
'buses, but when it is remembered that many of the ambulance calls require two men, and that it takes
more than men to keep one man on 24 hours per day it will be understood that although the workshop
staff and even the hospital porters occasionally are used to assist the Service, that nevertheless
some calls have to be refused or kept waiting because staff is not available. It should also be
noted that each member of the staff gets 14 days annual leave and that it is only exceptionally that
any man is employed as a holiday relief. It should further be noted that with Saturday and Sunday
feeding of school children and the payment of wages on Saturday mornings, three 'buses are in use
every Saturday and two 'buses every Sunday. One motor driver is on the temporary list.
Garage.—There is now available at the garage at the Municipal Hospital accommodation for
a total of 31 vehicles allowing 200 square feet for each and paved spaces uncovered for approximately
12 more.
Storage Plant.—The petrol storage plant installed in January 1915 is still working satisfactorily
and saves on present consumption about £40 per annum. This plant which finished paying for itself
in 1919 by its saving in taking bulk supply has cost nothing in upkeep except the replacement of two
delivery hoses.
Workshop Plant.—This is in good order and effects a great saving, both in Motor and Hospital
repairs but accommodation is required for stores.
Cost.—The analytical table of costs prepared by the Finance Department is appended.
GEORGE F. BUCHAN,
Medical Officer of Health.