SUNSHINE SCHOOL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21553, 26 July 1933, Page 11

SUNSHINE SCHOOL

VICE-REGAL VISIT ASSURANCE OF INTEREST " NO MORE BENEFICENT WORK " PROOF OF SYSTEM'S VALUE "No more beneficent work is being done for children in any part of New Zealand than that being conducted within these walls," said the Gover-nor-General, Lord Bledisloc, in an address yesterday at the conclusion of a visit of inspection to the Community Sunshine Association's school in Nelson Street. Lord Bledisloe was accompanied by Lady Bledisloe, and the Vice-Regal visitors were welcomed by Mr. A. J. Stallworthy, M.P., president of the association, Sir George Richardson, vice-president, members of the board of directors, the ladies' auxiliary and the mothers' club. Their Excellencies both made happily-phrased speeches to the 45 children in the school, and were later conducted on a tour of inspection of the institution, including the new after-care department, where retardate children are given special attention with a view to making them useful young pitizens. A tiny pupil presented a bouquet to Lady Bledisloe on arrival, and a cheery "Good morning, Your Excellencies," from the children indicated the interest with which the visit had been anticipated. The children sang two songs, under the direction of the head teacher, Miss Ronayne, and addresses by Their Excellencies followed. Fresh Air and Sunshine "Get plenty of fresh air and sunshine and you will grow up to do good work for yourself, your country and your Empire," said His Excellency in an informal talk to the children. Lord Bledisloe paid a special tribute, to the voluntary work being performed by Dr. L. Ludbrook in giving his time, enthusiasm and medical knowledge in the interests of the health of the children. "Remember this, v said His Excellency, "that if you want to be happy and well, always keep your minds and your hands busy." An official welcome was later ex-"' tended to Their Excellencies in the school hall. Mr. Stallworthy expressed the association's thanks to Their Excellencies in graciously agreeing to become patron and patroness of the , association. "We are delighted to visit you at last," said His Excellency. "We contemplated doing so more than a year ago, but, owing to the pressure of public business and various insistent engagements, we had to put off our visit until this year. That does not indicate any lack of interest or sympathy on our part. On the contrary, we believe that no more beneficent work is being done for children in any part of New Zealand than that being conducted -within these walls, on the island of Motuihi, and elsewhere to give happiness and renewed strength to the delicate • children of this community. Debt to Mrs. Ferner "I am reminded, by the advantage of sunshine and fresh air being recognised in this country of exceptional sunshine, of the olden days, 50 years ago, when delicate children in Engwent about in dull weather with respirators over their mouths, and slept at night in rooms with liermetically sealed windows. That perpetuated their delicacy in many cases, but, in the light of greater knowledge and common sense, we take every opportunity of giving our children, and especially the delicate children, all the fresh air and sunshine we can. "What an immense amount of gratitude you all owe—and, indeed, the community generally owes—to Mrs. Ferner, who lately passed away. was a lady of great faith and great vision, who established with great foresight and generosity this institution. I congratulate Mr. Stallworthy, the doctors and the kindhearted and far-sighted lady helpers on the admirable wji-k being conducted within these walls —and, indeed, outside these walls—under your system of scientific health improvement. "That these little children should show such marked improvement as is indicated on the charts as a result of this open-air system, coupled with a reasonable amount of nutritious food, healthy exercise and interesting mental activities, is convincing proof of the value of the system." Spiritual Assistance In concluding, His Excellency said:—"Those who are feeling the least the acuteness of the present day's effects are those people who have the vision and the faith to look to a Higher Power than themselves to help them out of their present-day troubles. In the atmosphere of this school, whero the children are being taught to look for spiritual assistance and help in the healing process, they will never regret the lessons along these lines they have learned in their early youth. "I say this in the presence of Stallworthy because, although there may be many who do, not altogether agree with all his public utterances, I am sure thero are none—at least in tho old-fashioned school to which I belong—who do not respect him for his courage in expressing his faith in God, which, after all, has proved to be tho soundest foundation of our British Empire." Sir George Richardson also ex- / pressed tho association's appreciation of Their Excellencies' personal interest in tho organisation's work.