View report page

30
The clerical work m connection with the women inspectors, like their
practical work, has increased very much. During the year Miss Hudson spent
134 days in office work, 7½ days in statistical work and 5½ days in preparing the
tubercle quarterly accounts. In addition Misses Playne, Lewin and Fay spent
11, 36 and 12 days respectively in clerical work.
TEMPORARY WOMEN INSPECTORS.
During April a great number of school notices were received with reference
to scholars suffering from, or in contact with, non-notifiable infectious diseases,
especially mumps. As Miss Hudson had to devote a great deal of time visiting
the homes of scholars, her other work fell into arrears. To deal with this, Miss
Gladys Lewin was appointed on the 25th May and remained until the
29th August.
A sudden and huge increase of out-workers for Government contractors
occurred in October, which lead to the appointment of Miss Agnes Fay on the
9th November. Miss Fay's arrival was the more opportune as Miss Hudson
unfortunately met with an accident whilst on duty, which kept her off work
from 31st October until she resumed on the 30th November.
SENIOR WOMAN INSPECTOR.
Miss Hudson became executive officer under the provisions of the Fabrics
(Misdescription) Act, 1913, and its Regulations which came into force April 1st,
and the Ophthalmia Regulations, 1914. On 4th March the Sanitary Committee
recommended that in recognition of the considerable increase of duties and her
(over) 3½ years excellent service, Miss Hudson should receive an immediate
advance of £10 per annum, and that her maximum be raised from £105 to £120.
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
On September 2nd I submitted to the Sanitary Committee a circular letter
of July 30th, 1914, and a memorandum of the Local Government Board. The
Board stated their opinion that it is clearly desirable that local authorities
should be in touch with a child over the whole period from before its birth up to
the time the child enters school and passes into the care of the Education
Committee. The Board desires that an adequate staff of women inspectors
should be established in charge of a medical officer. The Government is
prepared to pay a maximum of 50 per cent, of any expenditure in this direction.
It is difficult to distinguish this from the efforts of the Board of Education
regarding Schools for Mothers and Day Nurseries.