CRIPPLED CHILDREN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22166, 20 July 1935, Page 15

CRIPPLED CHILDREN

CASES IN AUCKLAND ACTIVITIES OF SOCIETY 1 MEDICAL COMMITTEE'S REPORT A report on the clinical examination of 154 crippled children was presented by the medical sub-committee at the last executive meeting of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Crippled Children's Society. The examination was carried out at the Seddon Memorial Technical College by Dr. K. S. Macky during the past month. According to the report, the principal needs were in respect of the education, vocational training and placing in employment of the crippled children, but food, clothing and medical treatment required supervision It was recommended that the Auckland branch should follow tho svstem under which

tho New Zealand Institute for thp Blind functions. While there were 21 cases in tho Auckland metropolitan area who might be considered suitable for institutional care, tho number of cases in tho province was not yet ascertained. Further Information Sought The general committee decided to seek information concerning country cripples from schools, from tho Health Department and from Rotary clubs, and also to invito application from parents whose circumstances were such that their children could he adequately propared for their life's work only through admission to the proposed Wilson Home at Takapuna. It was decided to invite all local bodies in the Auckland Province which had contributed to the annual revenue account of tho branch to nominate as members of the branch persons in each locality likely to give the greatest help to the movement. It was also decided to invite each local body to select the personnel of local auxiliaries, who would locate crippled children in their district, report on their medical and educational needs, and the financial position of their families. Offers of Assistance The committee decided that the first meeting to elect officers of the branch should be held as soon as the local bodies have forwarded the names of members, in accordance with their contributions to the funds of the society. Several offers of assistance were received from entertainment organisers. Tho offer of thc> National Flower Show committee to provide a floral fete on the Ellerslie racecourse during the National Flower Show in February and Mrs. Zoe Hartley-Baxter's offer to produce an entertainment during the August school holidays wero accepted with thanks. Dr. George de Clive Lowe's offer to produce a pageant, "Runnymede," in September or October, was received with thanks,, and referred to the finance committee for further consultation with Dr. do Clive Lowe.

An appeal to transport authorities to give consideration to the needs of crippled children travelling for medical treatment or educative training was decided on.