CHILDREN'S WELFARE

Evening Star, Issue 25618, 19 October 1945, Page 8

CHILDREN'S WELFARE

VALUE OF HEALTH GAMPS DISTRICT EXECUTIVE MEETING The annual meeting of the Dunedin Health Camp Executive was held on Wednesday evening in the Council Chamber. Mr J. J. Marlow presiding. Tlie chairman welcomed the Mayor (Mr D. C. Cameron), who said he was glad to give his support to such an organisation, which was carrying on such good work for the city in a voluntary capacity. He wished the movement every success for the coming year. The extension of the work done over the past few years, especially with the permanent camp now in operation at Roxburgh, was dealt with by the chairman in his annual report. The Dunedin district to date had sent 526 children to Roxburgh for three months’ treatment, and during the past year had sent a further 36 for six weeks’ stay. The summer camps, also, had been supported and had catered for 100 children at Waikouaiti and Company Ray. The committee learned with regret that the Company Bay camp would no longer be available as a health camp, and the work done there under the auspices of the Central Mission authorities was spoken of with appreciation. The cost to the committee of maintaining these cariips amounted to approximately £2,500 during the past year, but thanks to the generosity of the public and the business community, this had been met. An effort was at present being made to get in touch with country centres and foster more interest in the movement. Local area committees had been established at Waikouaiti and Cromwell, while the Rotary Club had agreed to sponsor this year’s campaign in Alexandra. Contacts had also been made with postmasters, teachers, and others interested in the smaller towns. Seconding the adoption of the report, Mr W. A. Williamson pointed out that many people, in reading of the thousands of pounds’ worth of health stamps which were sold, did not realise that only one-third of this amount was available for the work of the health camps, the remainder being ordinary postage. The Rev. J. Chisholm, chairman of the Otago and Southland Health Camp Council, spoke of the great need for health camps. Many thought that in a country such as New Zealand, with its opportunities for good health, such a work was not required, but the fact remained that a long list of children, selected by competent doctors, awaited admission to the permanent camps. He pointed out, also, that this was not a Government-sponsored organisation. It was maintained entirely by the proceeds of the sale of health stamps and from donations by parents and friends. A subsidy was received, but this came from the proceeds of the Christinas art union, which came, not from the Government, but from the people. The committee’s appreciation of the assistance given by the Health Department and the Post and Telegraph Department was recorded.

The chief postmaster, Mr Ernest J. Smith, spoke of the very successful start made with this year’s stamp campaign, and forecast that Dunedin would lead New Zealand this year. Captain T. McLean, until recently a member of the Christchurch Health Camp Committee, spoke briefly of the new camp opened on the Cashmere Hills, at Glenelg. Mr C. E. Begg, chairman of the Roxburgh Management Committee, in describing the buildings, said that the use of the word “ camp ” was misleading. as the very fine establishment at Roxburgh, costing £35.000 to erect and equip, could more appropriately be called a “ palace ” rather than a “ camp.” He spoke of the great contribution made to the success of the work by the matron, Miss D. E Petersen. and her staff, and also by the head teacher, Mr E. S. Macfa'rlane. The children returned benefited not only in health, but also in social and recreational training. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following committee was elected:—Mr J. J. (Marlow (chairman!, Mrs W. A. Earnshaw, the Rev. ,J. Chisholm, Dr G. Stevenson. Dr A. M. Douglas, Captain McLean, Messrs L. M. Satterthwaite, C. Parr, T. M. McAhan, J. Doolan, A. P. Greenfield, C./E. Begg, J. D. S. More, AV. A. Williamson, and E. ,1. Smith. Messrs Chisholm. Marlow, and AVilliamson were elected delegates to the Central Council DR STEVENSON’S ADDRESS. An address was given by the schools medical officer, i)r G. Stevenson, on some aspects of children’s health camps. Tnere were two types of health camps in Otago, she said—temporary .camps, of which there were four, and one permanent camp (at Roxburgh). The temporary camps functioned for a month or six weeks during the Christmas vacation, and the children were specially selected. Trained nurses were allocated to the staffs of the camps, and they had done valuable work. By means of these camps 100 to 150 Dunedin children had been aided each year to gain improved health and vigour. The need for a permanent camp was felt so that longer supervision of some of the children could be observed, continued the speaker. The Roxburgh camp had been built out of the King George V Memorial Fund for the needs of the children in the Otago and Southland provinces. A quota of approximately 54 children was sent to the camp all the year round at threemonthly periods. Of the 910 children who had been able to benefit from the camp since its inception, approximately 300 had been sent by the Dunedin Committee.

Dr Stevenson quoted figures to prove the extent to which children had benefited from the Roxburgh camp, and gave an outline of the treatment and recreational facilities afforded the inmates. In conclusion, she said that continued interest was taken in the children after they had left the camp to see if the improvement was maintained.