FRESH AIR HOME

Evening Star, Issue 19326, 12 August 1926, Page 13

FRESH AIR HOME

KEW SCHOOL OPENED RECORD OF SPLENDID WOES [Pee United Pekss Assoctmos.] CHRISTCHURCH. August 11, In the presence of a large gathering of representatives of local bodies and other interested people the GovernorGeneral opened the new school attached to the Children’s Fresh’ Air Home on Cashmere Hills this morning. Sir Charles Fergusson was accompanied by Lady Alice Fergusson. Nearly all the members of the North Canterbury Hospital Board were present. The Canterbury Rugby Union was represented by Messrs S. F. Wilson (president) and A. E. MThail (chairman of tne Management Committee) and C. S. M‘Cully, and the Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen’s Association by Mr G, Watson (president). The school was built with funds raised jointly by the Canterbury Rugby Union and the Commercial Travellers’ Association. Excellent work is continuously being done for the children by Harbor Lights Girls’ Club, under the direction of Mrs J. C. Holmes. Mr H. J. Otley, chairman of the Hospital Board, welcomed their Excellencies. Dr G. J. Blackmore, medical officer in charge of tho Cashmere Sanatoria, outlined what was being done in the way of treating the children. The results must bo seen to bo appreciated. Tho children'came in weak and sickly, and went out full of the joy of life and vigor which belonged to them. Sir Charles Fergusson said ho would like to express his sympathy with tho object of the movement and the general efforts which had been made to give it shape. They Were all grateful to tho Rugby Union, tho Commercial Travellers’ Association, and all who had labored to make this an accomplished fact. He could appreciate the motives which inspired them. _ They could readily understand that it was absolutely necessary to keep off this dreadful disease, and that the children should _bo given every advantage of becoming strong. As regards the open-air school movement generally, he was entirely at one with those who started it. Ho had had tho pleasure of opening an open-air school in Christchurch last year, and this city seemed to be adapted for such institutions. Ho was glad to seo that the Department of Education had also expressed itself strongly in favor of these schools. His Excellency then turned tho key in the door and declared the school open. The visitors afterwards inspected the school, which consists of a largo class room, with large windows which will open on all sides, and a corridor. In tho centre of tho class room there is a large stove with flues drawing downwards, and this serves to keep the room cosy and warm whenever desired.