FRESH AIR HOME HAS A PARTY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18644, 22 December 1928, Page 18 (Supplement)

FRESH AIR HOME HAS A PARTY.

The children at. the Fresh Air Home had their prize-giving and a lovely Christmas party last Tuesday. They were all so bright and healthy-looking and the Home, with its green lawns, its bright flowers, and its pure fresh air blowing right through all the rooms, was at its best. Each little child was presented with a very nice book, and then told to turn round and watch for Santa Claus coming in the door. But Santa dearly loves a joke, and when every little neck was craned to the south door, we all heard a hearty laugh from the other door, and there stood the gentleman himself, genial and jovial as ever! He presented a pretty basket of sweets and a toy off the beautiful Christmas tree to each child, and then they pulled the strings of a huge bon-bon over in the corner. Beautifully-made paper hats fell out, all colours and designs, but on each there was a small pocket containing a picture handkerchief. Then we had a delicious afternoon tea. and afterwards inspected all the building. The decorations were very beautiful. An enormous fuchsia made from paper hung over the centre light, with a smaller fuchsia in each corner. Streamers of pink and cyclamen radiated from the centre, and there were large blue yellow and brass bowls filled with irises, delphiniums and Canterbury bells. You would hardly realise how pretty blue, yellow and cyclamen can be together until you try. Remember this for painting days. It was such a happy, happy party, and it is so nice to know that all these little folk are in such good hands. The occasion was a little saddened by

the realisation of Dr Blackmore’s retirement, which takes place shortly, but the Home is firmly and faithfully established, and is of inestimable value to children who need a fortifying of their systems against disease. The two chief medicines used are fresh air and golden sunshine, and Dr Blackmore again stressed the value of these to children.