HIGH COST

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 46, 4 December 1945, Page 4

HIGH COST

FEE OF £2 10s A WEEK CHILDREN AT “GLENELG” Concern was expressed by members of the Ashburton Health Camp Committee yesterday afternoon tvhen notification was received that the cost, of keeping each child at “Glenelg” would probably he £2 10s a week. It would however, possibly be less during the summer weeks. It was beyond all reason, said Mi* S. G. Macfavlane. There was not even any rent to be paid. Mrs H. Cook said that the charge was more than for a hospital. At that rate, stated the chairman (Mr E. C. Bathurst) it would cost the committee £75 for every batch of five children which visited the camp for six weeks. “It is beyond our resources.” The District Health Nurse (Miss E. Taine) remarked that specialists’ treatment was made available to the children at “Glenelg.”. It was decided to advise the Christchurcr Central Council that the committee considered the charge exhorbitant, and would be grateful for information of how it was made up. It was also decided to protest to-the council concerning the delay in advising »of the probable cost and the subsidy which will he received on the fee for each child. In the meantime it was considered advisable to take advantage of the summer months to send two more batches of children. One will t leave Ashburton on Thursday with Mrs H. Cook, and the other will go into “Glenelg” at the end of January. Future arrangements will be considered on receipt of a reply from the Central Council. It was decided to support the council in its recommendation that portion of the Children’s Benefit allowed mothers should be contributed to the cost of keeping children while in camp. As cases were reported of mothers not knowing that their children in camp had mumps, it was decided to request, the authorities to advise mothers when their children contacted mumps or such complaints. The secretary was authorised to attend the conference of secretaries at Roxburgh in March. A cheque for £132 Ss and Gd for the sale of stamps last season was received. A donation of 10s was received from the Lauriston Red Cross.