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3. Toddlers' Playgrounds.
In Edinburgh, toddlers' playgrounds, with Solaria attached, are
doing fine work. It is recognised that children of this age need
open air,open spaces with ultra-violet ray lamps, room for exercise,
shower baths—all instead of being " bottled up " in go-carts, etc.
Sewing Classes , etc.
As soon as the new Health Centre is built in Harton Street, sewing
classes, or, at the least, a show case with model garments should be
arranged. The Ministry of Health's letter of April, 1926, commented
favourably on the general character of our Maternity and Child Welfare
work, but suggested an extension on the educational side of the work in
connection with lectures and sewing classes mainly.
Widows, Orphans and Old Age Contributory Pensions
Act, 1925.
The Borough Council has no duties under this Act.
CONDITIONS AT WORK.
The following is a description of some factories and workshops in
the Borough, from which a general idea of the occupations can be
obtained and conditions at work understood. No names of the firms
concerned are given :—
1. Engineering.
The works are the largest in Deptford, covering nearly five acres
of ground. 1,000 men and 50 women are employed at present, and
this number is about to be increased. Our guide said that business
had always been good; in fact, overtime prevailed in one or two
sections, and there were fine prospects as regards the future. The
works comprise several buildings, containing iron, brass, bronze and
aluminium foundries, machine, tool, electrical, smiths' and other workshops.
It is really difficult to visualise this huge place in one's mind;
some of the rooms were so long that, in golfing language, it would
take a full mashie shot to get from one end to the other. The firm has
been in business for nearly 100 years; we wonder whether the fact
that they have a metallurgical laboratory of their own is not, at least
in part, responsible for their good standing. During the war, this firm