SITE FOR CHILDREN’S HEALTH CAMP.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3982, 10 August 1929, Page 3

SITE FOR CHILDREN’S HEALTH CAMP.

DONATED BY MR. BYRON BROWN. AT OTAKI BEACH. A site of approximately four acres of Otaki beach has been donated to the public by Mir. Byron Brown, of Otaki, for the purpose of permanent children’s health camps. The Minister af Health (Hon. A. J. Stalhvorthv) stated that he was delighted to learn of Mr. Brown’s generous donation. The site was most attractively situated on rising ground, Avithin easy reach of the beach, and was altogether a most suitable one for the purpose. Mr. Brown had set a very fine example of avcll- applied generosity, AVhich, the Minister said, he was sure avould lie folloAved in other parts of NeAv Zealand to the inestimable advantage of the children of the Dominion. The- Minister said he had received tiie folloAving memorandum) from the Director of the Division of School Hygiene (Dr. Ada Paterson), AA'hieh showed that Mr. Brown’s gift was a very opportune one: — “There is at present quite inadequate proAdsion for giving children of subnormal nutrition, or those in debilitated health, a holiday in the country. -School medical records shoAV that (approximately some 8 per cent, -of the children attending our elementary schools are of subnormal nutrition. 'Of this group, a definite percentage is affected by latent tuberculosis, and, unless adequate preventive measures are available, many of them) will undoubtedly become victims of tuberculosis. We have in Wellington city fairly complete provision for supervising the Avelfare of such children in their oato homes, and those of them who break down and become the victims of disease may be satisfactorily cared fog in hospital or sanatorium. There is, however, a considerable number Avhose main hope lies ,in removal from •their present environment for a time at least. The results of the health camps held under the auspices of the Health Department have amply demonstrated Avhat can he done bv a simple regime permitting adequate rest, fresh air, sunshine, and proper feeding. To begin Avith, only accommodation of a simple character Avould be required. Holiday honiles of this type are very common both in Great Britain ■and in America, being often established as the outcome of philanthropic effort.”