CRIPPLES’ FUND

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20055, 12 March 1935, Page 6

CRIPPLES’ FUND

SUPPORT OF PUBLIC SOUGHT DONATIONS INVITED In a statement presented to last night’s meeting of the Timaru Borough Council, the Mayor (Mr T. W. Satterthwaite) said that on Friday night he received a telegram from Mr C. J. B. Norwood on .behalf of Lord Nuffield asking him, in common with other Mayors, to open a fund to supplement Lord Nuffield’s generous gift for crippled children, and he immediately did so, recognising that one should strike while the iron was hot, and before public interest was diverted to other matters. Magnificent as Lord Nuffield’s generosity was, it could not be expected by itself to do everything that was desirable to aid the unfortunate crippled children. He had not yet been informed of detailed proposals, nor what at present existed, but beyond the orthopaedic wards in the main hospitals and a Catholic Institution in Wellington, he understood that there was no institution, or society dealing with crippled children, their treatment, vocational training and start in life. No doubt more than one ipstitution was required and each institution would cost a considerable amount annually to maintain. A good deal of excellent preliminary work had been done, he understood, by the Rotary Clubs from whom the suggestion emanated, and any donations given now to the fund would be devoted to one of the most useful and humanitarian objects that it was possible to devise. He trusted that the fund would be well supported locally. Mayor Congratulated Cr. G, Benstead congratulated the Mayor on having so promptly taken up the matter of helping crippled children, and on the practical sympathy he had shown. There was a great need for something to be done in the interests of the unfortunate children who required skilful 'and careful treatment. The Canterbury Education Board was endeavouring to bring under the notice of the authorities any case of apparent neglect, and the Board was taking a keen interest in the matter, and were doing what they could. While on Akaroa Peninsula recently, he had seen two very crippled children, and he had brought the cases under the notice of the Board, which had taken action, and was endeavouring to do something for the children. He thought the national movement along right lines, and would be of considerable help to the unfortunate children who needed special attention. The Mayor said he noticed that at the recent Rotary conference in Timaru a number of donations had been made to the fund for crippled children. He trusted that now that Lord Nuffield had set an example, that the wealthy people of the Dominion would place the effort beyond doubt. PLASTIC SURGEON’S OFFER By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, March 11. The announcement that the wellknown plastic surgeon, Dr. H. P. Pickerill, had offered to place his services gratuitously at the disposal of the proposed organisation for crippled children was made by Mr C. J. B. Norwood before his return to Wellington. Dr. Pickerill, who was formerly director of the dental school in the University of Otago and who subsequently practised in Sydney, returned recently to reside in Wellington. “The letter I have received from Dr. Pickerill,” said Mr Norwood, "suggests the inclusion in the scope of the organisation of children suffering from cleft palates. He states that he is not sure the life disability of such children may not be as great as having a crippled foot. He is very much interested in these children, and to my knowledge has for many years been doing all he can for them with a great degree of success. He offers his own and his wife’s services gratuitously to the organisation. "It will be very gratifying to Lord Nuffield,” added Mr Norwood, "and indeed to all those who would have something done for unfortunate crippled children to know that I have received complimentary letters from no fewer than 30 Mayors in all parts of New Zealand. They indicate their wish immediately to open a Mayoral fund to supplement Lord Nuffield’s splendid national gift. It is gratifying, too, that the orthopaedic surgeons of New Zealand are unanimously behind this work.”