HEALTH CAMPS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 24 June 1937, Page 12

HEALTH CAMPS

NELSON ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL MEETING PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT OF LOCAL BUILDING REVIEW OF PAST YEAR’S WORK At the annual meeting of the Nelson Children’s Health Camp Association held la t evening, there were present: Mr H. J. Savage (chairman), the Mayor (Mr G. L. Page), Mesdames J. S. Tennent. F. M. Chaytor, Messrs S. Cannington, L. N. Montgomery, A. S. G. Adam, 11. J. Thornton, D. McKeeWright. F. Trask, A. Robinson, A. N. Wallace, B. Lane, S. W. Street (lion, secretary), L. W. Lockyer (hon. treasurer). Apologies were received from Mr M. Watt (Richmond), and Mr W. A. Armstrong. ANNUAL REPORT

The annual report, which was adopted. read as follows;

“Your committee has pleasure in presenting this the second annual report of the Association for the year ending 31st May 1937. Financially the year has been a very successful one as will be shown by the balance sheet. Unfortunately it was not possible to hold a camp this summer, as the Health Department considered it inadvisable, owing to the infantile paralysis epidemic. Therefore all camps were abandoned throughout the Dominion; but those districts that had their own buildings were allowed to hold camps at a later date. This we could not do in Nelson, as we are dependent upon using school buildings during the Christmas vacation.

“This year all arrangements were made for holding the camp at Tahuna School, permission having been given by the Tahuna School Committee and the Education Board. A temporary cook house was erected adjacent to the school. This was built in sections and is now stored for future use, and we are indebted to Mr Montgomery for his special interest in this direction. Fifty children from the whole of the Nelson district were ready to attend camp after the parents’ consent had been obtained, and all arrangements made for transport, and camp staff engaged, so when all this had to be abandoned, it was very disappointing to everyone concerned. » “The usual appeal for funds was made and a street appeal was held on Ist October 1936. Thanks are due to Mrs Tennent and a willing band of workers for the success of that day. The sale of Health Stamps was considerably, in advance of previous years, and the committee are grateful to the staffs of the Post Offices for their willing help in this direction, and to the business firms' and others who took this form of contributing. “During the year five committee meetings and several executive meetings were held. Two very important events happened during the year, the first '.'..being' '‘the initial meeting of the Executive Council at Christchurch. This was held in December and your secretary was able to attend this meeting. Early this year the Minister of Health called together the Dominion Advisory Board at Wellington, and as the Nelson Association had been granted representation on this Board, your president attended. The business transacted at that meeting was the suggested National Memorial to King George V., when it was then decided that it should take the form of permanent health camps of which there should be one in each of the main centres, and if more money was subscribed than was anticipated it should be devoted to erecting buildings for summer camps in secondary districts. . This is of particuplatr interest to Nelson, as your president was the mover of the latter clause of this resolution and is hopeful of the wishes ot this committee being fulfilled, i.e, our own buildings at Tahuna. The City Council has granted an area of land foi this purpose, subject to its legal position being defined on the matter. “The Association regrets that one ol its most valued members, Dr. E. Irwin, was transferred to Dunedin, and wishes to place on record its appreciation of her services. Dr. Irwrt has subscribed for life membership. We wish to congratulate the country districts, Moutere and Motueka for their very fine efforts towards the financial success of the Health Camps in the Nelson district.

“In conclusion, your committee wishes to express its grateful thanks to Mr S. W. Street, hon. secretary since the formation of this Association, for the wonderful help he has been and for the gratuitous services he had rendered to this worthy cause. His profession as a teacher has stood him in good stead in dealing with matters connected with children and of organising same. We also wish to thank the Nelson ‘Evening Mail’ for publicity so freely given, the Nelson Education Board for granting the use of the rooms for meetings, and the Mayor’s Commute for a generous donation from the Lord Nuffield gift.” It was decided to transfer the sum of £GOO to a Building Reserve Fund. During a discussion on the balance sheet, the chairman remarked that at the time of the band contest the Association had lent the contest committee several stretchers. These were insufficient to meet the contest committee’s needs, however, so that 57 more were made. After the contest, as the committee had no further use for the beds, the.' were donated to the Children’s Health Camp Association, which was now in possession of 100 beds. It was the general opinion of the meeting that this number of beds was far in excess of the association's requirements, it being decided to sell those which were not likely to be needed.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS . The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:— Patron: Dr. J. P. S. Jamieson; president, Mi- H. J. Savage; vice-president, Mr W. A. Armstrong; hon. vice-presi-dents, Dr. E. Irwin, Messrs G. L. Page. S. W. Street, and Major R. Dagger; secretary, Mi' F. Trask; treasurer, Mr L. W. Lockyer; hon. auditor, Mr W. R. P. Jaques: hon. solicitor, Mr C. R. Fell; executive committee —President, vicepresident, secretary and treasurer (all ex-officio); Miss B. R. Walter, Messrs 11. J. Thornton, L. N, Montgomery, B.

W. Lane, and the District School Medical Officer. Messrs A. Wallace and F. Trask were elected members of the Association. CAMP TO BE HELD THIS YEAR Mr Thornton asked whether in view of the fact that permanent health camps were being established in the four main centres, a district health camp would be held at Tahuna next summer. Half the year had already passed, and in view of the fact that the Nelson district was likely to be rather meagrely treated this year with regard to school medical service, a definite assurance was required so that when the new medical officer arrived the work of selecting the children to attend the camp could be proceeded with. The chairman replied that a camp would certainly be held. The secretary pointed out that a formal application would have to be made to the Executive Council at Christchurch.

On the motion of Mr Wallace, it was decided to seek permission from the Executive Council to hold a health camp at Tahuna during the forthcoming summer.

The secretary read a report of the proceedings at the last meeting of the Dominion Advisory Council at Wellington, which was attended by the president. Votes of thanks were carried to the hon. auditor, the hon. solicitor, and the Press.