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98
It will be noted that, from the foregoing Table, although
the number of meals provided has fallen from 16,139 for the
four-weekly period ending 12th June, 1915, to less than half
the number, namely, 7,988, for the four-weekly period 25th
December, 1915, there has not been a corresponding
reduction in the total cost of the meals. This is due mainly
to the improved dietary and increased cost of food during
this period, the increased wages paid to assistants, to the
fact that the charges for the provision of premises remains
constant irrespective of the number of meals supplied, and
because with five separate feeding centres it is not possible
to reduce the number of assistants in the same proportion
as it would be if there was one central kitchen.
It should also be noted that the charges for the meals
supplied under contract at the voluntary centre (Kilburn)
have gone up from l¾d. 10 4d. during the period under
review, while the meals supplied at the Coffee House have
gone up similarly from 2½d to 3d. per meal.
Service of Meals.—The following rules for the service
of meals have been drawn up and are in operation at each
of the centres of the Committee:—
Rules for the Serving of Meals at the Centres for the
guidance of Superintendents and Monitors.
Food to be apportioned by the Superintendent or an
Assistant.
Superintendent or Assistant to keep register, direct
seating of children, and overlook monitors.
Monitors to be selected from the elder boys and girls,
one to every 20 children.
Each monitor to serve for four weeks or longer.
Monitors to be at centre as soon after 12 noon as
possible.