A HEALTH CENTRE

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 32, 6 August 1936, Page 6

A HEALTH CENTRE

XENTENARY MEMORIAL

'A CONCRETE SUGGESTION

CURE OF CRIPPLED

A suggestion that the centenary memorial- in Wellington should be - a building.'which would be regarded as the health centre of the Dominion, and which '\voulid.combine facilities for the treatment ,of crippled children, for the betterment -of the standard of general health, and for the instruction of children in swimming and lifesaving is put forward by Mr. D. S. N. McCartney, chairman of the Wellington Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association.

"As the Government has indicated its desire to" assist financially towards any form of memorial to supply a useful and national need, and there ap- [ pears to be some doubt as to what is required in Wellington," said Mr! ! McCartney to a "Post" reporter today, _'.'I would like to suggest that consideration be given to the erection of a buildmg which will be regarded as the health centre oMh'e Dominion: ' •

"Myproposition is that on a suitable site on our harbour foreshore or some central position, a building should be erected to provide for the followingr— Tepid salt-water swimming pool. Small swimming pools for the instruction of children. 1 Paddling pools' for children in the open air.

Open unheated baths in front for swimming in the harbour of main building. > , " ' • Hot salt slipper baths for invalids.

Hot fresh-water baths for the use of the general public. Turkish baths.

Special baths for crippled children with accommodation for them whilst under treatment.

Gymnasium for physical culture and training purposes for all sports bodies. Refreshment rooms. "It is hardly necessary to emphasise the value of such an institution from a health point of view," went on Mr. McCartney. "The provision of a special department with qualified muses to attend crippled ,' children would make it unnecessary -for .the erection of special baths at the' various main centres, and, although ' the hospital boards may be obliged Jo pay the .expenses of patients sent .-to^Wellington, it would be ,much cheaper than having to erect their., own1 baths' and stand the cost of a special sta.ff.-7 •, ~ • " BENEFIT TO COMMUNITY. "From this point of view alone the Government and air outside local I bodies * should give the project their support, .Wellington city rateI payers would-benefit, as they would not have to stand the further expenditure 'at*the hospital, but would secure relief from the revenue obtained from patients from other parts of the Dominion.

"I have no doubt that if the various departments, are properly conducted the concern will.pay its way, but even if there *is a loss of a few hundred a year the public will benefit from a health poitit of view.'.The educational value should also be taken into con^ sideration. '-With proper organisation all-children would hava an opportunity of taught to swim and save life under favourable.conditions by persons, qualified A 6 teach Itho best styles and methcfa&v r \^ - ' .- '.. JWhalvjfetter form of memorial can" we have.4thSh one will assist, the. crippled, .give health to the public' generally,'and teach children the art of swimming 'and life-saving.".