AIDING CRIPPLED CHILDREN

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22103, 27 May 1937, Page 12

AIDING CRIPPLED CHILDREN

Need For Permanent Income ;WORK IN CANTERBURY AND WESTLAND The need for a permanent income for the Canterbury and Westland branch of the New Zealand Crippled Children Society, so that this body can help crippled children till they have at least reached the age of 21 years, is emphasised in the annual report of the branch. The work of the society is at present limited inevitably, states the report, by the funds available, but as knowledge of its operations spreads, the executive is confident that the public will come generously and regularly to its aid. "Owing to the society having received the proceeds from the exhibitions of Titanio's Palace, this branch did not participate in the income from the Nuffield Trust this year, our income being received solely from local efforts," states the report. "We cannot expect a large income from the Nuffield Trust. This is spread over the whole of New Zealand in proportion to the number of cripples under the care of each society. Any amount received by us would only partly cover our needs, and we must depend entirely on the people of Christchurch to support this society. "We are deeply grateful to the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr J. W. Beanland), who allocated us the sum Of £.2000 from the Nuffield Fund, on condition that £SOO be set aside as a special fund for the immediate relief of distressing cases of cripples outaide the society's ordinary activities. "The number of cases now registered with the society is 135, an increase of 49 for this year. Of these 86 are in Christchurch, 37 are in country districts, and 12 are on the West Coast. The recent epidemic will make a serious addition to the case list." The report continues that the most Important part of the society's work is handled by the vocational committee. During the year eight boys were placed in positions, in two cases the wages being subsidised, and eight others were helped to continue their education. Of 21 girls under the committee's care, seven' are at primary schools, seven at secondary departments, three attended part-time classes, two were working, and two at home. In ,the task of visiting the different children, the women helpers of Toe H and nurses of .the Nurse Maude Association assisted. • To those who were unfortunate in contracting Infantile paralysis during the present epidemic, the society gave books in cases of isolation, and arrangements were being made to provide suitable cases with a bed-table end book-rest combination. The report expresses gratitude to the medical advisory committee, consisting of Sir Hugh Acland, Dr. P. A. Ardagh, and Dr. C. T. Hand Newton, for the time and care given to the examination of new registrations. The annual ball resulted in a profit of £126 10s, and income from subscriptions to £4l 10s. . During the year a Christmas party ■wag given for the children in Christchurch. The balance-sheet shows an excess of income over expenditure of £llO 13s sd.