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maintenance of these ehildren. All such cases are carefully reviewed at intervals by
Committees of the Guardians.
Yours faithfully,
J. E. P. Hall,
Clerk to the Guardians.
Dr. T. Shadick Hjggins,
Medical Officer of Health,
Borough of St. Pancras,
Town Hall, Pancras Road, N.W.1.
P.S.—The addendum gives a summary of a. few typical oases dealt with by the
Ladies' Reference Committee during the month of September, 1919.
ADDENDUM REPORT.
Summary of typical cases arising during the month of September, and dealt with at
the last meeting of the LADIES REFERENCE COMMITTEE held on October 1st, 1919.
With one exception, all these children are under one year:—
E. B., age 24. Domestic. To remain with child in Workhouse pending the
Warrant Officer's inquiries as to affiliation.
A. A. E., age 33, Domestic. Child retained in Workhouse contrary to regulations.
Mother allowed out to seek a situation.
E. E , aged 30. Child many months in Infirmary and Convalescent Home.
Mother working outside and contributing 5s. per week. Child convalescent
now and discharged. Mother can find no home for it and came to beg for
its admittance to Workhouse. Child taken in temporarily, contrary to
regulations.
V. G., age 30, Dressmaker. Mother and child both unfit to leave at present.
E. H,, age 24. Maid and Machioist. Admitted to Workhouse with her child as
destitute. Discharged to find employment. Child retained in Infirmary.
K. M., age 20, Domestic. Unfit for discharge.
C. S., age 23, Domestic. Remain till Matron secures a situation,
L. S., age 25, good class of Domestic Seduced under promise of marriage.
Father of child untraceable. Mother allowed out on daily pass to find
employment. Could pay 10s. per week.
E, T., age 23, Maid. Child in Infirmary. Mother could earn sufficient to pay
for its support if a home could be found for the child on its recovery.
It was felt by the Committee that all these cases emphasised the immediate necessity for
the provision of
(a) A hostel where the mothers could be kept with their children for a time.
(b) An adequate allowance for the support of themselves and children in homes of their
own.
(«) Scattered Homes.
(d) Reliable and closely inspected Foster-Mothers.
These women all showed an interest in and devotion to their children not to be
surpassed. The great majority of these deserted mothers are domestic servants or needlewomen,
for whom the present day demand is very great.
The sympathetic interest shown by our Matron and the members of our Committee has
been instrumental in securing many situations already, thus enabling the women to make
small payments for the children, and the Committee submits that the provision of immediate
After-Care for these children, giving the mothers their share of the responsibility, must have
a healthy influence upon the future conduct of these women.
(Signed) Edith M. Vance,
On behalf of the Ladies' Reference Committee.
13th October, 1919.