DOWN ON THE FARM.

Shannon News, 30 March 1926, Page 3

DOWN ON THE FARM.

REPAIRING THE RAVAGES' OF MALNUTRITION. ! To have seen some of the pale-faced ! children who arrived a fortnight ago at the Central Development Farm, a casual observer would have been justified in the belief that many weeks would have to. pass before the bloom of health would be .restored to their cheeks. Had he seen the same children on Saturday, as did a Chronicle reporter, and noted the rejuvenescence in these little ones from the special classes in Wellington, his astonishment would have been pardonable. On surveying the day's schedule, however, perhaps the vast improvement, both in bodily vigour and mental outlook, is not so surprising. Food containing the very maximum of nourishment, organised games, very definite periods of rect during the day, physical drill and long rambles through the very interesting country suncunding the Farm are,, in short, the essentials of their daily programme, most commendably administered by Miss p. McMurray, Dr E. M. Morgan and their specially-trained assistants. To-morrow morning the camp disbands and those In charge of the children are filled with gratitude towards a number of local people who have very generously assisted the camp commissariat and organisation in a number of acceptable ways—fruit, vegetables, books, car-trips to the Lake and other beauty spots in and around Levin. Mr McKenzie, Inspector of Schools, visited the camp for a short while on Friday. He is specially interested in ttiis branch of educational matters, and, like everybody else (to' quote Miss McMurray) was charmed with the situation, but regretted that the stay was such a short one. Unfortunately, lack of tads had prevented the camp being,held earlier, but in the future he had hopes of the camp being established and the length of time extended to permit of a more lasting benefit accruing to the.children. ± . , Asked as to whether the practical outcome had .fulfilled the theoretical expectation, Miss McMurray gave a most decided reply in the affirmative and said the social reaction, education in country lore, and the physical benefit had been most marked. She hoped that the camp would again be located at the Central Development Farm, which was ideal from every viewpoint. To-morrow afternoon the whole party entrain for Wellington, where they will have happy recollections of a joyous fortnight spent amid the beauties of nature, where fbeir experiences were only of the happiest and their surroundings of the pleasantest.