CITY CHILDREN IN CAMP.

Shannon News, 26 March 1926, Page 2

CITY CHILDREN IN CAMP.

—♦ WHAT GOOD FOOD AND SUNSHINE WILL DO. AT THE CENTRAL DEVELOPMENT FARM, (From Levin Chronicle.) As a "Chronicle" reporter made his way yesterday to. where the Health and Education Departments' health camp was located, he was impressed with the decided improvement in health and vigour reflected in the faces, and manifested by the body movements of the campers as tli,ey with bows and arrows. Those of a slightly less restless disposition " were extremely busy with plasticine models iOf flowers, etc., and some of tlie.finished articles: were the products- of a nice sense of proportion, and a careful attention to the grace inherent in spring flowers and other objects which demand a close study on the clay-worker's part. Although it is slightly less than a •fortnight since the camp was formed, scarcely any of the 27 children in the camp have failed to increase their weight by three pounds apiece, some of them having done even better. i More, there is an added atmospheiv of happiness about each child, a l'ea--ture that was, sadly enough, lacking from the faces of the majority when the writer first visited the camp shortly after the kettle had first boiled in the campers' new hoine. Yesterday, lie aririved at "morning drink" time, when each child is given, a drink of milk or lemon syrup and an apple, and it was surprising to...watch the avidity with which each ate his or her fruit, and 'the .blboni of health which showed itself on fafces which, but a short while ago, were very wan indeed.

By a happy turn of childish imagination, the bush partially surrounding the huts has taken k over a new identity, being nothing less than Sherwood Forest, of brave memory, whilst the boys have for the time become Rofoin Hood and the men of the;greenwood, which account for t3io twanging of bow-strings and the click-click, of arrows as the archers go through their daily practice. A visit to the dormitories disclosed a double row of beds, all .neatly made, the newspaper-man being informed that marks for neatness were given at the daily inspection, so there is every incentive to excel. What is regarded as a special treat—and it must not be forgotten, in passing, that these children, tor the most part, have never seen the animal whose products pass through the Wellington Corporation's pasteurisers—is a visit to the milking sheds. Each day, a party of three 'Children makes its way to the long concrete shed where the patient cows stand in their stalls, and the ibusy men attend to the teat-cups and all the paraphernalia of milking machines, their movements being most closely watched by the youthful visitors.

Miss McMurray, Dr. Morgan and Mrs Beattie, expressed their warm appreciation of the many kindnesses and thoughtful acts of Mr .1. H. Shepherd, manager of the Farm, and Mr J. O'Doiiohue, manager of the Weraroa Training Farm, both of whom have combined in making this camp a very pleasant memory in the lives of the children.

Half-an-hour of daylight-saving is being employed, the children rising at seven o'clock and breakfasting half-an-hour later. From then till 9/30 a.in., the camp devotes its energies to tooth-brush drill, making beds, sweeping dormitories and cleaning up the camp. Then school from 9.30 till 10.30, followed by "morning drink." Swedish drill is given from 11 o'clock till ! 11.30, interspersed with organised ! games until the dinner-whistle is •blown. -Tooth-brush drill at one o'clock, followed toy- a rest till three o'clock, after which the camp breaks up into walking parties and the remainder of the afternoon is spent m recreation. Tea comes at five o'clock (and none too soon it would appear), followed by more games between six and seven o'clock, when all troop along to .their beds—very sleepy but perfectly content. If anyone has any doubts about the efficacy of regular meals, proper food and regulated habits and games, he should pay a visit to the camp where such excellent results have been recorded since the inception of the camp some ten days ago as the result of well-directed' efforts on the part of those responsible.