THE CURATIVE WORKSHOP.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 10108, 16 October 1917, Page 2

THE CURATIVE WORKSHOP.

HEALTH AND HAPPINESS FOP THE MAIMED. “The curative workshop,” explains field .secretary A. H. Haumgart in a recent report of his Avork as V.M.C.A. representative ai the No. 1 N.Z. General Hospital at Hroct cnliurst, is the revised and established, name for tin' hobbies’ room. The hobbies room, it may he nccc.,-ary to add further, was the name giA'on to the department in which the V.M.C.A. .seeks to hasten the recovery of health of body and health o! mind for sorely shattered men by offering them easy and recreative employment in such interesting hobbies as basket making, raliu work, carpentry, leather work and metal work. Now the hobbies’ room, Avhieh is officially recognised and very highly valued by the military medical authorities, i.s to he dignified by the more appropriate title of ‘'the curative workshop.” Though matters are still in their early stages really good and valuable work has already Keen done. i.ot me take you in fancy on a lour of inspection,” writes Mr Haumgart. “liver there is ama who Avas wounded in the thigh. His wound has healed, but left the muscles stiff. Colonel Wylie, O.G. No. L N.Z. General Hospital, seat along a ‘chit.’ The man is put on the treadle Avork in order to exercise the stiffened muscles. I’m the treadle is part ol a fretwork machine, so while his mind i.s absorbed in the making of a neat photo frame, and probably in the thought of the dear fare that Avill he portrayed therein, he i.s at the same time obtaining valuable exercise and in a very few day, will he able to move about with ease. ‘‘Take that man at the joiners’ bench. Me has come in for general light exercise. Corporal Worden takes charge of him, and he is set to learn how to use carpenter’s tools. If yon step into the quiet room yon aapll see his first job—a quite presentable bookease. Or il you go into Avard 10 yon aa 111 he shown by the sister a neat knife box presented to her by two amateur beginners. This man was one of them. “'fhat big fellow has been with ns a week. 'I he Colonel's’ ‘chit.’ said ‘bas-ket-making,’ so he was handed over to Miss 11 a inert,on, When he eommeneod Averk he could scareelv move his hand. Now look at him. Tie can bond the strong eano and pn-'y; it borne with comparatively little trouble, and the result s this serviceable basket—a very cheerful man and much improved hands. “Mid so the work goes on. The men •an’t get very far of course, because | he main object of the hospital is quickN- to clear the men out tit and -veil, 'bit. they do get an interest awav from md lievond themselves: they do net •■nlnahle exercise, and T believe that hv he short training the men obtain in anr workshops many of them will he ‘dared in the. way of learning, if not a trade, then a very useful bobby Avhieb Gil bring in to them a little, money hater on. "Mr and Mrs Thomas, both V.fl.O.A.’s (London), are commencing I work as instructors in metal work, wood, carving and art. and are now 'iisily engaged upon getting this por'ion of the room in order. The metal work promises to he a very popular branch. I feel sure that every penny 'f_Y.M.O.A, money Avhieh is spent i" 'bis neAV department, of our work Avill Gold a splendid result.”