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30
The population was then 17,000; the attack rate from
Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria seven per thousand; the cost of
"maintenance" £1,369 9s., and the total (annual) cost of the
Hospital (including repayment, &c., of loans) £1,850 17s. 3d.
This involved a charge on the rates of more than fourpence
in the pound.
In the year corresponding to the last financial year the
population was 23,200; the attack rate from Scarlet Fever and
Diphtheria 1-8 per 1,000; the cost of "maintenance" £1,233, and the
total (annual) cost of the Hospital (including interest on and repayment
of loans) was £1,929.
This involved a charge on the rates of less than threepence
in the pound.
During the last five years, therefore, the population has
increased by 35 per cent.; the attack rate from Scarlet Fever and
Diphtheria has dropped to a quarter of what it was ; the cost of
maintenance, in spite of larger expenditure from revenue on
permanent improvements, has diminished by 10 per cent., and the
charge on the rates has fallen from more than fourpence to less
than threepence in the pound.
The additional expense now being incurred by the provision
for the staff (which will raise the wards to the minimum standard
of the Local Government Board) will be more than balanced by
the increase in the population and rateable value now accruing.
It is very unlikely that the cost of the Hospital for this and
the next financial year will, with payment of interest and instalments
of all loans, exceed twopence halfpenny in the pound.
The Small Pox Hospital Order (see report, 1904, p. 42) has
been confirmed, but I have no knowledge of further steps having
been taken.