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There are, however, valid reasons
for making an addition to the grant to recoup the Hospital
for the increased expenditure in burying the bodies of
destitutes sent to the Hospital from the Mortuaries.
The expenditure on this service
was $3,563.22 in 1903; $4,318.92 in 1904; $4,701.86 in
1905, and $4,371.55 in 1906.
Constant and increasing demands
are made upon the Hospital for the repatriation of Chinese
destitutes.
4.
The last published accounts of the
Hospital (see Report of Registrar-General for 1906) show
a balance of over $2,500 on the working of last year which
added to a balance carried forward of $15,000 made a
balance of $17,782.38 in addition to certain assets in
land, etc. But it should be mentioned that the Hospital has
borrowed to the extent of $60,000 from charitable funds
in its charge.
5.
Taking the above facts into
consideration and having regard to the assistance rendered
by the Hospital in various services which in its absence
would have to be performed by the Government, I am of
opinion that an additional grant of $2,000 is justified,
and