NEWS FROM TAIHAPE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 258, 1 November 1939, Page 2

NEWS FROM TAIHAPE

CHILDREN’S HEALTH CAMP.

(Own Correspondent.) TAIHAPE, Oct. 30. The following report outlining the activities of the Taihape Health Camp Committee has been handed to the Press for publication so that the public can become better acquainted with the aims and objects of the scheme:— i Last year we had achieved the send- ■ ing of one child to Lie Otaki Camp, i This year it is pleasing to record that 115 children have l<een despatched I from this district three of whom are lin residence at the camp at present. I There are also applications in hand for the admission of four children next month. 1 In. common with many other instiI tutions of a similar nature, there I exists a good deal of prejudice on the part of the public to the Health Camp but there can be no doubt that as the i benefits of the scheme become better known, as they are increasingly becoming so. much of this opposition will disappear. In the early part of this year the Wanganui camp was officially opened and two Taihape children were included in the first batch. Definite quotas were apportioned to the various sub-districts and as you will learn from the correspondence the Taihape and District Committee is entitled to send six children for each admission, the average duration for each such term being six weeks. In comparison with the figures for other parts we appear to have been quite well treated in this respect. Our district extends from Turangaarere and Hihitahi north to Ohingaiti South, so that with a quota of approximately 60 for the 12 months it should be possible to get all the children recommended for adi mission to the camp away without difficulty. Although the school medical officer does not include the Convent Schools in her itinerary this does not in any way bar any children attending these schools from participating in the scheme. The following is a list of the numbers from the different schools in the district who have been admitted so far this year:— [Taihape District High School, 5; Taihape Convent. 6; Mangaweka, 1; OhiI ngaiti, 2; Correspondence School. 1. ; Applications in hand at present are on behalf of children attending the Turangaarere, Hihitahi and Rangewaea Schools. For various reasons, the parents of approximately a dozen children which have been recommended for treatment, have declined to take advantage of the opportunity. It is very satisfactory to note that in every case, children have put on weight, usually about 61bs., and the parents have been delighted with the results in every way, while for the most part the children themselves would gladly have prolonged their stay. These facts speak volumes for the way in which the camp is conducted and reflect credit on all those responsible for its organisation. The secretary of the Wanganui Health Camp Trust Board is most attentive and punctual in dealing with the correspondence and I have found him most helpful at all times. We have now approached the season of the year when appeals must be made for funds with which to carry on. It is commonly felt to-day that health camps and other similai institutions. should be embraced by the Social Security Act or in some other way become the responsibility ot the Government. Ultimately it will, but in the meantime we have to carry on. The last few years, apart from a few appeals by correspondence, there has been no definite effort made to secure cash donations, but in view of the fact that we are now sending children io the tamp for each admission and the number of these is likely Io increase I feel that we should make a greater effort this year and would sugest to members of the committee that application be made to the Borough Council for permission to hold a street day collection and also that a wider appeal be made for donations. In. the early days of the venture various bodies when approached expressed Ihe opinion that in view of the fact that no Taihape children had participated in the benefits of the health camps, they did not feel justified in making a contribut ion. I his state of affairs is, however, now a. thing of the past and I feel quite sure that a number of local bodies and societies will gladly respond now that local children are benefiting. I shall bo pleased to co-operate with the committ co in any way they may suggest towards this end. In conclusion 1 wish to extend my cordial appreciation of the eo-opera--1 tion shown by members of the com- ■ mittcc. the headmasters of the various schools in the Taihape district, the i press, business people, the public gen- ' orally, w ho have assisted by purchasing health stamps, the Taihape Cinemas Ltd., for showing slides on their screens. Miss Moore, the F’lunket nurse who has suggested the names of several children who have been admitted, the local doctors who have furnished certificates for children not attending schools visited by the school medical officer, to several people who have donated articles of clothing, and last but not least. His Worship the Mayor for his willingness to help and advise on every occasion. If I have omitted to mention anyone else who should be named I trust they will forgive me for the omission and accept my thanks to them also. Although there is a war on. and a good many other consequential demands being made upon us to-day, I feel sure that one and all will reorganise the importance of this district helping to contribute to the cost as well as participating in the benefits arising out of this cause. Most of the routine work must necessarily be a one-man job but. it cannot be carried on successfully without tho help of all concerned and I am sure, as in the past, this will be forthcoming in the year that lies ahead. TAIHAPE TENNIS CLUB A meeting of the executive committee of the Taihape Tennis Club was held last evening, when the president. Mr. L. E. Lyons, presided over a satisfactory attendance. It was decided to enter the Wanganui grade competitions and this will necessitate Taihape entering A. B, and C grade teams. The committee hope [that participation in the Wanganui 'competition* will prove of great benefit to Taihape players and that the ex-