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24
In January the question was again considered by the Sanitary Committee
as to how far, if at all, the Council should interest itself in the Centre. The
matter was adjourned.
On February 11th and on February 15th, Dr. Mivart, of the Local
Government Board, visited our School. He expressed his complete satisfaction
with the good work being carried on there. On the latter date
he interviewed the Chairmen of the Council and of the Sanitary Committee,
with our Clerk and myself, about (1) the under-staffing in the Public Health
Department, especially on the women's side; (2) the carrying out of the
Measles Regulations, 1915; and (3) the School for Mothers' and Infant
Welfare.
A letter was submitted in March, from the National Association for the
prevention of Infant Mortality, asking for financial support, on which the
Sanitary Committee reported : " We are well aware of the good work of this
Association, but under the present circumstances we are not prepared to
recommend a contribution."
The Council applied for a grant in recognition of the time devoted by
their (Woman Inspector and) Health Visitor to the Centre, and for visiting
amongst mothers and infants. On 27th March the Local Government Board
wrote granting £33 6s. 8d. for the year ending March, 1915; they took
occasion to call attention to Dr. Mivart's report to them, which entitled them
to say that the women's staff was inadequate and should be increased, as
home visits should be paid to all children over and under 12) months old,
and that ante-natal visits should be paid to expectant mothers. This was
considered at the Sanitary Committee meeting of the 5th April, when the
Chairman submitted the first Annual Report of the School for Mothers.
The Committee recommended that the subjects of the Board's letter should
have further consideration in six months; however, it was advised that Miss
G. M. Shiner's appointment should be made permanent, with an increasing
salary rising to £105 yearly. Seven weeks later, on receiving the assurance
of its legality from the Board, the grant, £33 6s. 8d., was handed over to
the School. On May 23rd a letter from the Local Government Board, dated
the 13th, was submitted to the Council, stating that the Council ought to
frame a comprehensive scheme for maternity and child welfare in Edmonton,
including the appointment of an adequate home-visiting staff, this scheme
to include any voluntary association already at work.
In October the Sanitary Committee again considered the Board's letter
of the 27th March, but this only lead to another adjournment for six months,
i.e., to April, 1917.
On December 9th the Board, in sending a grant of .£34 12s. 8d. towards