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Thirty per cent. of the children were first babies. Twenty per
cent. of the mothers attended every week, eighteen per cent.
came once only. The average gain in weight per week ranged
from 3-9 ozs. to 4-5 ozs. The largest gains were 91 ozs. and
10 ozs.—both in children under three months.
The weekly gain appeared to diminish as the child grew older—
thus, at one centre the average gains were : up to three months
of age, 6 ozs.; between 3 and 6 months, 4 ozs.; between 6 and
9 months, 4.3 ozs., and between 9 and 12 months, 3 0 ozs.
This progressive diminution may possibly be associated with
the return of the mother to work, with the consequent lessening
of her care and supervision, and with the gradual change of the
baby's food from breast milk to cow's milk, to be followed later
by the child's weaning. The fathers were mainly of the working
class, and chiefly general labourers, carmen, porters, packers,
metal workers, street hawkers, warehousemen, horsekeepers and
taxi-drivers. Thirty per cent. of the fathers were employed
casually or were out of work.
Mothercraft Competition.—This competition was held in
April, 1913, and organised under the direction of the Mayor—
Alderman Barton, J. P. and the Mayoress. It was limited to
Finsbury mothers having, at the date appointed, living children
under one year of age, and had for its object the public recognition
of good mothers in the Borough, and their value and importance
to the community and to the State. The competitors were
received in the Town Hall by the Mayor and Mayoress, who
provided refreshment and entertainment on the occasion.
It was realized that, in the poorer districts of the Borough,
there might be many mothers who, owing, perhaps, to domestic
difficulties, were not so well placed as their more fortunate
neighbours. The interests of such mothers were not allowed to
suffer. Special allowance was made for the difficulties which, by
their care, thrift and prudence, they had successfully overcome.
In judging the infants, the following points were taken into
consideration :—