HEALTH CAMPS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23319, 1 October 1945, Page 8

HEALTH CAMPS

Unlikely This Year Lack of Accommodation 1 The fact that the South Canterbury Health Camp Committee was faced with little or no prospects of holding

summer health camps for sick and ailing children was emphasised by the president (Mr R. J. Runciman) when presenting the annual report to the committee. “This was by reason of the restrictions placed on us by the Federation cf Health Camp authorities which has stipulated that Summer Health Camps must be of not less than six weeks duration,” said Mr Runciman. “This means that we are not able to secure school or other suitable accommodation for that period. This will be a great disappointment to many sick children and to their parents and may mean a deterioration in health resulting in further overcrowding of hospitals and sanatoria. “The Association made application to the trustees of the King George V Memorial Fund,” continued Mr Runciman, “for the establishment of a permanent health camp in South Canterbury and secured an option over the Te Tawa property which after inspection by the Medical Officer of Health for Canterbury proved suitable. The Federation of Health Camps supported the proposal tor the purchase and recommended to the trustees that the establishment of a permanent health camp at Te Tawa, Gleniti, should receive favourable consideration. The trustees, however, regretted that owing to the anticipation of a building programme for a children’s health camp in the Auckland district which it is understood would cost some £BO,OOO, it was not in a position, financially, to purchase the Te Tawa property, the cost of which was round about £6OOO. It is felt that to embark on a building programme at the present time is Inopportune but the fact that a suitable building and charming grounds in the Te Tawa property would meet a very pressing need should have received more favourable consideration.

“The health camp slogan, ‘The children’s health is the nation's wealth,’ is a very true one,” said Mr Runciman, “and should be pressed home to all who have New Zealand’s welfare at heart. Apart from the humanitarian aspect the care of children by means of holiday and health camps should be the responsibility of the Government of the country. More holidays and more health camps for children will mean less hospitals and less sanatoria.’’ The Association would continue to work for the health of the children of South Canterbury but would appreciate a little more co-operation and assistance and a little less restrictions and undue control, said Mr Runciman. For several years the South Canterbury Health Camp Association has held annual camps for children who were in need of a holiday and health attention. The children are selected by the School Medicai Officers of the Department of Health. The period of the camps were for three weeks and results showed that a considerable improvement in health resulting from correct diet and rest, the average increase in weights were most satisfactory and some children gained up to 81b in the three weeks period, concluded the president. The Association is under the jurisdiction of the Federation of Health Camps and under local control of the Department of Health. Last January the camp was held again at Geraldine High School where there is good accommodation for some 60 to 70 children and staff and adequate cooking facilities. Mr R. J. Runciman presided and moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. The election of officers resulted: Patrons, Rev. Clyde Carr, M.P.. Mr and Mrs A. E. S. Hanan, Mr and Mrs W. G. Tweedy; president, Mr Runciman; vice-president, Mr C. G. Baker; hon. treasurer. Mr F. G. M. Raymond; honoray secretary, Mr C. W. Browne; honorary auditor, Mr C. G. Baker; general committee, officers ex officio, Mesdames R. J. Runciman, Morrison, Dr. Walmsley, Nurse McGuire, Messrs R. S. Wheeler and T. H. Thornton; executive committee, president, vice-president, secretary and Nurse McGuire; stamp sales committee, Messrs T. H. Thornton (chairman), R. S. Wheeler and secretary, with power to add.