OTAKI HEALTH CAMP

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 57, 5 September 1934, Page 17

OTAKI HEALTH CAMP

ASSOCIATION'S YEAR

MORE SUPPORT NEEDED

"1 know of no other movement that lias any greater moral appeal than this one," said the Mayor (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop) when moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet of the Wellington Children's Health Camp Association at the annual meeting last evening, at which lie presided.

The apologies for absence included tliose from Lady Myers, the Minister of Health (the Hon. J. A. Young), Sir Truby King, the Directf-General of Health (Dr. M. H. Watt), and Sir. E. S. Hylton. Mr. Hislop said that all present would particularly regret the absence of the Minister of Health. "We know that his heart is very much in this movement, and that lie has helped us considerably during the past year or so," Mr. Hislop added. It would, be seen from'the financial statement that the year's activities had been carried on after taking £31 lls lOd from capital to meet the expenditure, Mr. Hislop said, but considering the difficulties that had been experienced he thought they, could be reasonably happy about the balancesheet. With, the exception of a short period when repairs and sickness _ in the neighbourhood necessitated closing, the camp had been open throughout the year, and the average number of children there had been about sixty. Naturally the association desired to be able to care for a greater number of children, but looking . back at. the financial difficulties they could not but feel grateful for the fact that1 they had been able to keep going at all. ASSURING THE PTJTURE. The financal support of many more people was required, Mr. Hislop continued. Art union proceeds had contributed £290- to . the income, and grants and legacies £40, and while they could.possibly look forward to continued assistance from art unions they could not feel that the future of the movement was assured iinti1 'they had definite subscriptions coming in from people or institutions every year. The association, would have to try again to got increased support from those quarters. There was no doubt that, the movement had . justified itself in an admirable''manner, and he was ..confident that.' a further drive for- assistance would be successful. Mr. Hislop paid a tribute to Dr. H. E. Gibbs, chairman of the committee, Dr. Ada Patcrson, the honorary secretary (Mr. 0. Meachen), and the many others who had helped to carry on the movement. Dr. Gibbs eulogised the staff at the camp and' expressed regret that they could not be paid adequately for their loyal and willing services. He referred..;to the. Splendid financial ..support given- by the schools, which were one of the- main, .sources -of : reyenu?, and dealing witli the suggestcd'.federation of health ca.inp associations said it. was felt that by. that means ! the present waste in the overhead; charges of some of the smaller associations could ba prevented, enabling nior'o money to be devoted to the children. Dr. Gibbs also.mentioned the largo proportion of the revenue that was directly expended on the children at the camp. Appreciative reference was made to the work of Dr. E. G. Atmoro and' Dr. D.. S., Milne, of Otakv, also to Mr. Moachen's services. ; Mr. C. Pinnock, a member of the committee, remarked that in working for the children the reward-was sure to come, not only to the association but to^ the. country /.as -a.-wh,ql,e,i i^rpin, the physical and'moral, aspects the movement deserved every support. ; The election of officers resulted as follows; —Patron, the Minister of Health; president, the Mayor of Wellington; . vice-president, Mr.. Byron Brcwn; honorary vice-presidents, Lady Myers, Sir' Truby King, Mrs. J. S. Elliott, Lady McGavin, Dr. Agnes Bennett, the -Mayor of Otaki, Mrs. Henry Hall, Mrs.- Colin Holmes, Lady Buckleton; Mrs. J. P. Firth,. Mrs. P. Fraser, the Mayoress of Wellington, Dr Helen Bakewell, Mr. G. McNamara, Mr. C. M. Luke, Mrs. H. E. Gibbs; honorary medical advisers, Drs. J. S. Elliott, Alexander Gillies, Hugh. Short j T. F. Corkill, Walter,-'B. Robertson, Montgomery Spencer; Otaki', Drs; E. G. Atmore, D. S. Milne, Francis; committee, Dr. H.E. Gibbs -.(representing the Eotary Club), Dr. Ada Paterson (representing the Director-General of Health), representative Educational Institute, Dr. Agnes Bennett (British Medical Association), Mr. H. Watson (Education Department), representative of the Education Board, Dr. Helen Bakewell (representing the Department of Health), Mr. C-. Atmore (representing local residents, Otaki), Mrs. Hendry. (Red Cross Society), representative of the Wellington Returned Soldiers' Association, Mr. C.' Pinnock (School Committees-' Federation), Mr. Byron Brown, Mr. W. Hickson (Headmasters' .-Association), Mr. J. Robertson (New Zealand Motion Picture Exhibitors' Association), Mr. D..Cocly, . Mr. E. B. Myers; hon. auditor, Mr. H. Miller; hon. secretary, Mr. C. Meachen; hon. solicitor; Mr.'T. C. A. Hislop.