WOMAN'S WORLD.

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 253, 21 July 1919, Page 4

WOMAN'S WORLD.

MATTERS OF INTEREST FROM FAB AN» NSABi

Invalided Children and Peace, In celebrating: peace a very happy time was spent in the infantile paralysis ward at the Children's Hospital on Friday afternoon. The fact that they were a dav earlier in celebrating than tiro rest of the people owing to various circumstances mado no difference so far as tliev were concerned, and their gaiety of heart and pleasuro was .a very happy thine to see. School for them was off for the day, and tho ward had been very prettily decorated with quantities of tinv Mass, 60me of them made by the little patients themselves, and with big rosettes of coloured crinkled paper, which likewise brightened the big screen at the entrance to tho ward. flags were carried diagonally on lines across the wnrd. and with ferns and foliage tho 'room was quite one of the brightest places to be found anywhere. The children, too (about twelve in number), of whom all but four or fivo were able to uet about, were full of happy anticipalion for the treat which was in store for them, and which took the form of a special party tea. The table had been prettily arranged with flowers, and with all the "goodies" dear to the heart of children, including a beautiful iced cake, on which the word "Peace" occupied a prominent place, and which was made still more attractive by a number of tmv coloured candles which had been lit for .the occasion, The singing of tho National Anthem began the little feast, and the final proceeding : was the (riving to each child a small package, which when unwrapped was the signal for manv exclamations of pleasure and surprise. Although there was plenty of noise, with the blowing of squeakers and whistles, and other things, it was possibly not quite such an active party at the close as it was at the beginning, and evervone was satisfied that they had had a very good time indeed. The matron of the hospital, Miss Stott, was present, as was Mr. Howe, who conducts Sunday school for the children in the ward. An admirable idea has been carried out bv Miss Stott, and that is to have these children taught lessons. They have been there so long, most of them, that she felt they were losing much by not being taught, ami us a result of her efforts in this direction tho children in this ward have their own school, in which the teaching is carried out on kindergarten lines, Miss Seed being their teacher. Their hours are from nine to twelve in tho morning, and from one o'clock to three. Every day that the weather permits school is held on the covered-in balcony belonging to the ward. The beds of the little ones who are not able to leave them are wheeled out there, ajid the others take their seats at the table. The lessons, suited to each individual child, are quite looked forward to and none of them is at all backward in mental ability. In addition, as already mentioned, they have Sunday school, and a little while were examined bv the inspector. Altogether, overythinc seems to bo done for the children, physically and mentally, that can be done for them, and to see them is to see some of the brightest and happiest little' eonls that -can be found anywhere, _ in spite of their physical disabilities, which time and treatment will do much to eliminate. Mrs. and the Misses Reynolds, who returned to the Dominion from England by the Ei<roni,i last week, have left for Dunedin.