HOBBIES IN HOSPITALS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1723, 9 June 1917, Page 4

HOBBIES IN HOSPITALS.

With so many hundreds of mem in hospitals, convalescent for considerable periods, the authorities have been faced by the urgent necessity of providing occupation for hands and minds. At some hospitals regular departments have grown up, in which hobbies and handicrafts arc provided, and observation has shown that the physical cure of the patient has been accelerated by these occupations. The Australian Red Cross has a great workshop at Southall, where patients can occupy themselves with mechanical, motor, and electrical engineering, wireless telegraphy, carpentry, and so on. Franco and Belgium have also done great work for their disabled and sick soldiers. General Richardson has been going into the matter for the benefit of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and arrangements are now being made for a great extension of indoor occupations. The New Zealand AA'ar Contingent Association has taken the matter in hand at Hornchurch Convalescent Camp, and has decided to adapt for the purpose the new club, which was opeued by Mr Massey a few months ago. The association is converting the Mahutouga Club into a games room, for deck tennis, deck quoits, ping-pong, ete. The billiard-room will be enlarged to hold two mor6 tables, in addition to the three already there. The canteen will be continued, and the hall will also bo used, as before, for concerts and lectures.