SICK SCOUTS IN AUCKLAND

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28795, 16 January 1959, Page 8

SICK SCOUTS IN AUCKLAND

Entertainment In

Private Homes

(New Zealand Pros Association) AUCKLAND. January 15. The assistance of Auckland families in entertaining scouts who are waiting to return home after bouts of influenza was called for today by Brigadier K. MacCormick, medical officer of health at the Pan-Paciflc jamboree. “There are still 143 boys in hospital,” he said. "Nearly 80 are in the public hospital, 26 are billeted in Cornwall Hospital, and there are 36 in the convalescent hosnital at Cornwall Park School. “It is obvious that as we near the end we are looking after boys who were seriously affected by influenza.” said Brigadier MacCbrmick. On discharge from the public hospitals these boys were being placed under observation for several days. Travel facilities for the boys had been difficult to arrange although the utmost cooperation had been received from air, land, and sea travel companies. It was. the busiest time of the year for travel and bookings were hard to make, said Brigadier MacCormlck. Some of the boys had become homesick and it was felt that contact with homes would Relieve the worry. Games, films, and other recreational facilities had already been supplied. Complaints by Parents Brigadier MacCormick said he could not understand complaints from parents in the South Island protesting that information about their sons had been misleading. At the end of the jamboree each sick boy was asked to write his name and address in full oh two forms. One form was immediately sent to parents saying the boys would not return home with contingents. The other was kept until the boy was finally discharged and travel arrangements were made. Any individual, inquiry from parents was immediately looked into and answered by telegram, said Brigadier MacCormlck.