HEALTH CAMP IN ACTION

North Canterbury Gazette, Volume 7, Issue 60, 30 November 1937, Page 4

HEALTH CAMP IN ACTION

First Arrivals Yesterday

BOYS HAPPY : HOMESICKNESS

SOON FORGOTTEN

“A home away from home” is the best way to describe the Health Camp now being held at the Rangiora Racecourse. * Thirty-three boys, aged from 9 to 12 years, are now in camp, but it is not an ordinary camp. Everything possible has been done to make the boys both happy and comfortable. From the time they get up in the morning until “lights out” at night their time will be occupied by pleasant duties and healthful play. In the camp itself every possible convenience has been provided. The cooking is done on electric ranges, and hot water is provided from a cylinder. Both the kitchen and the dining room are at the rear of the main stand, sheltered from the heat of the summer day. Nearby hot and cold showers will play their part in the daily routine. In the stewards’ building and the totalisator building the beds are arranged in orderly rows. On all walls coloured posters from many lands lend a picturesque effect. Cricket was the order of the moment when the “Gazette” reporter paid a visit last evening. In the office ho found Mr St. J. J. Dunne, honorary secretary of the Christchurch executive committee of the Federation of Health Camps, who was able to spare a few minutes to show his visitor round, and explain the workings of the camp. Mr Dunne will be in residence most of the time that the camp is being held. "Happy as Larry” The first port of call was the main dormitory, where by this time the boys were safe in bed, reading books and exchanging stories in such a friendly way that it seemed they had been friends all their lives, instead of for one day. One little chap, who, Mr Dunne said, had been suffering from home-sickness, seemed now to be in the best of spirits. “Hapj>y as Larry” was his enthusiastic answer to Mr Dunne’s inquiry. And the rest seemed “liappy as Larry” too. It was hard to believe these boys had been sent to the health camp by the school doctors for any definite complaint. They looked, already, the picture of health and good spirits. In the far corner of the room a nurse in turn tucked in each of her charges, aiid before Mr Dunne had finished reading them the first chapter of “Robinson Crusoe,” most were well on the way to slumberland. In the rooms below the stewards’ stand were to be found more boys io bed. Their only complaint was that people walking about upstairs would keep them awake. But a healthy day’s fun in the open air soon proved the lie to this. The staff quarters are upstairs iu the stewards’ stand rooms. In the secretary’s office the programme for the day and the schedule of duties for the staff hang in prominent places. Nearby was the camp register, and a pile of khaki shorts and shirts which the boys will wear. Here an assistant was busy trying to match sizes with a variety of odd clothes shed by the sleeping boys. Nurse Falconer is the camp commandant. She has had a vast experience of the organisation of similar ventures all over the world. She is ably assisted by Miss Gamble, Mrs Horsford, and Miss Giddens. Mr Vincent is present as assistant prefect. Mr T'. Pargeter and Nurse Hungerford, of the Health Department, were at the camp for the day. Miss Esme Mclntosh is also in camp giving voluntary assistance for a week or two in connexion with the electric cooking facilities. Mr Dunne was high in his praise of the facilities at the racecourse. “As good as anything in New Zealand,” was his comment. He was especially grateful to the residents of ltangiora and district for their wholehearted support, and especially the work of the local committee and its indefatigable secretary, Mr J. M. Fraser. A great deal of work had also been accomplished by Mrs M. A. Ellen. The Day’s Routine TTp at 7 a.m., the boys commence their day by washing and dressing. This is followed by deep breathing

exercises and handkerchief drill. Then beds must be made and lockers tidied. Breakfast is at 8 a.m., followed by toothbrush drill. From then until midday is for play, with a half-hour interval at 10.30 for a rest. Dinner is followed by another halfhour rest. Fruit, or milk and biscuits is supplied at 3 p.m. The afternoons, except when excursions or visitors are the order of the day, will be spent on the river-bank. Tea is at 5.30, followed by play till 7 p.m. Then beds are prepared, and until 8 p.m. the time is spent in community singing, games, or story, reading. Then it is bedtime, and at 8.30 the “lights out” call ends the day. The children at present in camp are from the Christchurch district. Those from the West Coast, who were to arrive in Rangiora last evening, will not now be in camp until Thursday evening.

Mayor's Statement

At the Borough Council meeting held last week the Mayor outlined the progress made. He said some extras to make the children happy and contented were still needed; small pieces of carpet, books, etc. He said the camp was looking ship-shape and in order. An appeal was made to the residents of Rangiora to give their wholehearted support to the camp. There had been a lot of opposition at the central executive meetings. Some people .there were inclined to say that Rangiora didn’t know how to run a camp. It was up to Rangiora to show them they were wrong. Another critic was responsible for the statement that too much money was being spent on luxuries. He did not consider pillowslips and sheets were luxuries. They were hygienic necessities. The electrio ranges, refrigerator, etc., had been loaned, and were the best type to have. Electric light had not been used elsewhere, but he considered it to be an absolute necessity. With candles there was always a danger of fire. Showers were another subject for criticism, but if they were put in now in a permanent way it would be for the best. Residents were asked to give their wholehearted support in giving the children a good time while they were here. The Council granted £lO to the funds.

For Bedspreads

Mrs Ellen wishes to acknowledge the gift of pieces of cretonne for bedspreads (or equivalent donations) from the following:— Mesdames A. P. Strang, Hawkins, J. McClure, Johnson, J: M. Fraser, Misses Ruth Clark, K. Crowe, F. Jennings, Messrs J. Marshall, A. Thompson, A. B. Johnson, J. Gulliver, W. Smith, A. Luey, R. Peach, N. Carmana, L. Ord, J. A. Bell, L. Harley, W. A. Parsons, S. G. Dailey, L. P. Devlin, P. Giles, J. Kaan, M. Quirk, D. R. Blake, H. M. Chappell, F. H. Lovell, A. Drought, Bert Blackler, J. Groves, Mesdames Whitelaw Watson, Herron, Misses F. Dick, M. Hamilton, M. Jackson, K. Davidson, V. Scott.

Committee's Acknowledgment

The Committee acknowledges with thanks the many gifts made or articles lent for the use of the children. The following donations have been received

The following gifts have been made: Power Board: Loan of two stoves and water-heater. Hunters Radio: Loan of radio. Beatty Bros.: Loan of electric washing machine. Mercers Ltd.: Loan of ten fire extinguishers. Mrs Stevenson: Gramophone and records. Mr Jennings: Gramophone and records. Mrs Fraser: Ping-pong table. Mr R. F. AA r atsoU: Beach balls and supply of papers and magazines. United Tennis Club: Five dozen tenuis balls. Mr C. Haigh gave a special exhibition of the Zane Grey picture, “End of the Trail,” this afternoon to the children, and this action is highly appreciated. The most urgent need of the camp at present is for children’s books and comics. 'All appeals for books have so far fallen on deaf ears, but if the High School and Borough School pupils gave one book each, a well filled library that would have a lot of use would result.

£ s. d. Rangiora Borougli Council . 10 0 0 Kaiapoi Borough Council ... Woodend-Waikuku Women’s 1 1 0 Division 1 0 0 Fernside W.D. 1 0 0 Southbrook-Flaxton W.D. ... 1 0 0 Darfield W.D. 1 0 0 East Eyreton W.D. ... 1 0 0 Axnuri AV.D 1 0 0 Cust-West Eyreton W.D. ... 1 0 0 Lincoln Women’s Institute... 1 0 0 Oxford Women’s Division ... 1 0 0