SUMNER.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 105, 9 June 1914, Page 5

SUMNER.

OPEN-AIR HOME. MEETING AT SUMNER. An enthusiastic meeting was held in the Town Hall last evening, over fifty persons representative of the borough attending. The Mayor (Mr G. W. C. Smithson) presided, and Dr Blackmore also attended.

The Mayor, in introducing Dr Blackmore, said the meeting had been called at the request of the Mayor of Christchurch. . He recognised that all had the matter of the welfare of the children at heart, and the present meeting was called for the purpose of hearing Dr Blackmore, and then to establish a local committee.

Br Blaekmore, who was received with applause, said that in coming to Sumner, he felt he was casting reflections ,05i the well-known generosity of the local 'residents. The daily papers had dealt fully with the need for the pro- t posed/home, and the havoc caused theliumari race by that curse, consumption. Something must be done immediately to try to prevent the disease, and the movement on-foot to establish the lionie was direct for prevention The'speaker then, proceeded to show clearly the causes of consumption, and' the rapid and contagious .nature of the disease. He explained that the disease was not necessarily heredity, but was spread by animals, the most common form of contagion being in milk taken from cows*-suifering from tuberculosis. This form of contagion was common with children, though seldom, or never, with adult persons, He explained how the germ was expelled from the human body by expectoration, and spray from coughing, and showed that if the expectoration took place out of doors the sun acted-as a killer pf .germs, but. if it took place indoors, then the action of the sun did not reach it, and therefore the germs were given full play, and the house became a veritable hotbed of consumption. Br Blaekmore gave several instances of eases of consumptive parents with large families, which had come under the notice of the dispensary, and said that ill some instances children, who (if the proper remedy had been available) miglit easily have been, saved, had died from the disease. There were more houses in thfe city of Christchnrch than his audience could imagine, where children were living in hopelessly overcrowded surroundings, without proper clothing or nourishment. There were also numbers of married women, suffering from the disease, who would not come into the sanatorium, owing to their having to work to .support their homes and families. . He stated that the Dispensary knew of 30 children who ought to be in a home, but as there was not one at present all the officials could do was to give proper advice, which the parents in most cases cannot carry out. If there was a home on the lulls, where the little ones could get their 'fill of good fresh air and sunshine they would soon- regain their good health and shake off the disease. In the; home on the hills just opened there were 44 beds, and inside the first week 30 were occupied, and at present practically the whole were filled. The sight of the patients made him feel that no sacrifice on the part of the public in this cause would be too great. "The time was surely ripe that the public recognised their duty to the children, and something should be done at once. The children should not be sent out to face the world sick and halt, but strong and healthy.

Rev. M 'Kenzie Gibson asked the chairman what was precisely the aim of the movement, and also what amount was required. Dr Blackmore replied stating that as the papers had dealt with the matter, he had only to say that the aim was divided into two parts. Firstly to establish a small institution, in connection with the sanatorium, for those children already affected; and secondly, a larger institution, not necessarily alongside the other, for dealing with children who have been in contact with* affected patents. He did not propose that the children should associate with adult persons; this was decidedly not advisable. The smaller place would require at least 10 beds, and the larger 30 beds. The cost of the proposed buildings, together with equipment, was estimated to cost £6OOO to £7OOO, of which the public are asked to contribute £3OOO, which, with the Government subsidy, would reach the required amount. Also, that after the amount had been subscribed, the Hospital Board had agreed to take over the buildings and maintain them.

The following committee was set up, with power to add to their number:—Messrs Dorman, Davis, Fountain, and

Harris, Mesdames Smitlison, Neville, Beaven, Ferguson, Tate, the Misses Deacon, Cooper, Wood, Messrs M. Laurenson, Antill Adley, G. F. Allen, Rev. M'Kenzie Gibson, and Dr Line. Mrs Fountain was appointed convener. The Rev. M'Kenzie Gibson expressed his pleasure at being present, and stated the movement had his earnest support. He proposed a very hearty vote of thanks to Dr Blackmore for his earnest address on behalf of the children.

Dr Line seconded the proposal, and thanked Dr Blackmore for visiting the borough. Whilst he hoped that Sumner would remain free from the scourge, he could assure the doctor of the sympathy of the Sumner people. The motion was carried with applause. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the meeting. SUMNER SCHOOL COMMITTEE. The above committee met last evening. Present: Mr- D. Lumsden (chairman), Mrs Ferguson, Messrs J. Lang, C. H. Smith, K. Bassett, and M. Laurenson (secretary). Correspondence was received from the Education Boatd, advising that the Education Department had now authorised the additions to the school buildings. Reports were received from the Works Committee and the Ladies' Committee. The Works Committee reported having authorised the installing of gas in one classroom, and also re the school fences.

The caretaker was granted an increase of salary, as from May L,