Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 1936. THE HEALTH CAMP.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 71, 6 January 1936, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 1936. THE HEALTH CAMP.

The children's health camp now in progress at Staveley is of particular interest as being the first to be held in the Ashburton County. The system has proved successful in other places; and there is every reason to anticipate a similar result here. From the time when the local campaign was initiated by Mr W. J. Minogue, who, in accordance with the wish of the Minister of Health, gathered into his net representatives of every available organisation in the district, the committees thus formed in the various centres entered into the matter with an enthusiasm and a thoroughness that have ensured a completeness of arrangement that is a striking tribute 19 them. Good weather is the one factor making for success that cannot be controlled and it is to be hoped that in that respect Nature will be kind. Health camps may not effect all the good that their most enthusiastic advocates claim, but the holding of them is to be commended on several grounds. The younger generation in the rural areas of the County do not require the advantages of a camp as is the case with those dwellers in the towns, and fortunately the Borough of Ashburton, free from many of the conditions that affect the health of children in the larger centres, does not present the same necessity that exists elsewhere, but it nevertheless contains many who would benefit from a period in camp. The change of air, of locality, scenery and companionship should have its effect on those who are subject to those ills that afflict children, while in other cases the constitution may be strengthened at a critical time and threatened ills averted. Not less important than the improvement in health that may be expected is the benefit that will be derived from community life. Under careful direction and supervision, planned on lines that have been tested in previous years, the mental outlook of the youthful holidaymakers should be widened and many lessons in the matter of physical well.being and personal and social conduct implanted in a pleasant manner that will leave their impress on after life. The whole county will join in the hope that the fullest expectations of the children in the matter of enjoyment will be realised and that the object of the promoters and the organisers will be achieved in the fullest measure.