CHILD WELFARE

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 89, 10 January 1938, Page 8

CHILD WELFARE

Camp At Port Waikato

PICTURESQUE SETTING

Fine weather, delightful surroundings, excellent organisation and a happy band of children are features ot tlie Waikato Children’s Camp League’s camp at Port Waikato, which was visited on Friday by the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. W. Lee Martin. The league was formed 11 years ago, and its first camp was held at Okete, on the Raglan harbour. In January of the following year a site at Port Waikato was selected. The children and camp staff were accommodated in tents, and as it rained during the first two days, the conditions were far from satisfactory. The weather improved, however, and the camp was a success. The owner of the land on which the tents were pitched, the Tate Mr. Edward Spargo, generously donated the area to the league. Further land was purchased and the league now owns about 120 acres, part of which consists of steep bush-clad hills.

Since the acquisition of the area .permanent buildings have been erected and a well-stocked dairy farm has been established. An important feature of the improvements has been the planting of trees and shrubs, which, with the stream passing through the site and the native bush in the background, give the camp a very pretty setting. Farm Activities. On some 30 acres of improved farm land 21 cows are being milked and a considerable number of pigs arc kept. An area of 40 acres is still tto be brought in. _ ' The camp enclosure contains a large dining-room, several dormitories, detached rooms for the staff, an ambulance room, office, and, last, but not. least, a beautiful open-air chapel. The present occupants, consisting of 150 poor children, who would not have had a holiday but for the league’s hospitality, went into camp on December 29. There has been fine weather on most days since, and a thoroughly happy time has been spent. Mr. W. H. Paul, chairman of the league, is in charge, and he is being assisted by the secretary, Mrs. H. C. Ross, a St. John Ambulance nurse, Mrs. H. D. Cobb, and Mrs. F. Kear.

The children are under the direct care of a band of secondary school pupils, who act, as prefects, and to each of whom a band of children is allotted. Regular hours are kept, and the children march to their meals to the accompaniment of music. The meals are substantial and are supplemented by copious draughts of milk and cocoa. The day is spent in resting, swimming, playing games and walking. There is a concert every evening, and the children are taught singing and dancing. Church services are held on Sundays. When tlie present inmates return home after a three weeks’ holiday their places will be taken by another 150 children.