HEALTH CAMP AT WERAROA. CITY CHILDREN ON THE FARM.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3012, 18 March 1926, Page 2

HEALTH CAMP AT WERAROA.

CITY CHILDREN ON THE FARM.

Even to-day there are many children of the cities who have never seen a living animal, beyond, maybe, the horse in the shafts of a tradesman's cart, and a visit to the country is always provocative of much wonderment on the part of those less fortunate than their fellows. In Wellington there are special classes which deal with the problem of backward children,. and when a party of these youngsters, under the charge of Miss P. McMurray, arrived at the Central Development Farm their excitement and the many ejaculations are easily imagined. At the present time there are twenty children at the Farm, the scheme being partly under the control of the -Health and Education Departments, the former being controlled by Dr. E. M. Morgan who, assisted by Miss Chapman, arranges and supervises the diet of her charges, who are only fed at regular periods and with correctlybalanced foods. These special classes have been running for two years in Wellington, the first of the camps having been held at Haywards, Wellington, the whole scheme being under the general supervision of Dr. Ada Paterson. Dr. Morgan, who is junior School Medical Officer, has a number of malnutrition cases included among her charges so the importance of a regulated diet is paramount, as arc tooth-brush drill physical exercises, periodical rests and the provision of well-ventilated rooms and open air treatment as much as possible. Five trainees from the Training College in Wellington and Mrs Beattie, assistant to Miss MvMurray, will be included in the personnel of the staff by the time a further batch of children have arrived on Wednesday morning, the money for the .sending of these children having been raised partly by way of voluntary subscription, the balance by subsidy from the Health Department. According to both Miss McMurray and Dr. Morgan the huts at the Central Development Farm are positively ideal for such a camp as all v the rooms are well-lit compartments provided with an excellent system of ventilation and hot water.

The children rise at seven o’clock have breakfast half an hour later, followed by tooth-brush drill and bed-making. Each one is made responsible for his own bed and so many are told off to perform certain tasks during the day. After everything has been cleaned up, physical drill is the next thing on the order paper, attractively interpersed with games, by which time dinnertime has arrived, when the youngsters repair the ravages made by the healthful outdoor work put in throughout the morning. When meal has become but a memory camp is ordered a rest, after which the tampers are split up into parties that delve into the many delightful spots to be found on the Farm. Tea-time comes and, after that, early bed-time. Even though the children came on Friday they are already exhibiting unmistakable signs of improved health —an outcome of contact with the healthgiving sunshine and fresh-air methods upon which the whole scheme is based, not, of course, forgetting the adoption of a spue method of diet. —Chronicle.