THE CURATIVE WORKSHOP.

Marlborough Express, Volume LI, Issue 243, 13 October 1917, Page 3

THE CURATIVE WORKSHOP.

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AX ADMIRABLE KNTKUPitiSE

"The curative workshop," explains Field-Secretary A.■ L.'Baumgart in a recent report of his work as Y.M.C'.A. representative at the No. 1 N.Z. General Hospital at Brockenhurst, is the revised and established name for the Hobbies Room. The Hobbies Room, it may be necessary to add, further, was the name given to the department in which the V.M.C.A. seeks to hasten the recovery of health of body and health of mind for sorely shattered men by offering them easy and recreative employment in such interesting hobbies as baskeinnaking, raiia work, carpentry, leather work, and metal work. Now the Hobbies lloom, which is officially recognised and very highly valued by the medical authorities is to be dignified by the more appropriate title of "the Curative Workshop." Though matters are still in their early stages, really good and valuable work has already been done. "Let me take you in fancy on a tour of inspection," writes Mr Baumgart. "Over there is a man who was wounded in the thigh. His wound has i healed, but left the muscles stiff. Colonel AVylie, O.C. No. 1 N.Z. General Hospital, sent along a 'chit.' The man is put on the Jreadle work in order to exercise the stiffened muscles. But the treadle is part of a fretwork machine, so while his mind is absorbed in the making of a neat photo-frame, and probably, in the thought of the dear face that will be portrayed therein, he is at the same time obtaining valuable exercise and in a very few days will be able to move about with ease.

"Take that man at the joiners' bench. He has come in for general light exercise. Corporal Woiden takes charge of him, and he is set to learn how to use carpenter's tools. If you" step into the quiet room you will see. his first job—a quite" presentable bookcase. Or if you go into Ward 10 you will be shown by the sister a neat knife box pz'esented to her by two amateur beginners. This man was ,bne of them. "

"That big fellowl has been with us a week. The Colonel's 'chit' said 'basketmaking,' so he was handed over to Miss Hamerton. When he commenced work he could scarcely move his hand. Now look at him. He can bend the strong cane and press it home with comparatively little trouble, and the result .is this serviceable basket—a very cheerful man and much improved hands.

"And so the work goes on. The men can't get very far, of course, because the main object of the hospital is quickly to clear the men out fit and well. But they do get an interest away from and beyond themselves, they do get valuable exercise, and I believe that by the short training the men obtain in our workshops many of them will be plated in the way of learning, if not a trade, then a very useful hobby which will bring in to them a Hi:tie money later on.

"Mr and Mrs Thomas, both A.R.C.A.S. (London) are commencing work as instructors in metal work, wood-carving and art, and are now busily engaged upon getting this portion of the room in order. The metal woijv promises to be a very popular branch. I feel sure that every penny of V.M.C.A. money which is spent in I>his new department of our work will yield a splendid result.'