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52
APPENDIX.
METROPOLITAN BOROUGH OF PADDINGTON.
HEALTH EXHIBITION, JUNE 1929.
REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH.
To the Chairman and Members of the Public Health Committee.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It will be remembered that towards the end of last year your Committee considered the advisability of
holding a Health Exhibition on the lines of those held in other Cities and Boroughs. It was felt that it would attract
the attention of the inhabitants of the Borough to the various phases of work carried out by the Council through
its Public Health and Maternity and Child Welfare Committees, and a recommendation to hold the Exhibition at
Porchester Hall on June 6th, 7th and 8th, 1929, was endorsed by the Council on the 29th January last. A sum
of £500 was voted towards the expenses and at that time it was expected there would be an income of approximately
£250 from standholders. As the scheme developed, however, it was felt that to make its educational value of the
highest possible character more space would have to be allotted to voluntary organisations who were anxious to
give practically unlimited assistance. There was a consequent drop in the estimated income and the deficit was
accentuated by unforeseen extras in fitting up the Exhibition owing to the unfinished state of the Hall. The ultimate
nett cost was £412 4s. 6d.* (See the Borough Treasurer's Account at end hereof).
Opening Ceremony. The opening ceremony, in the presence of a large and distinguished gathering including
the Mayors and Medical Officers of Health of many other districts, was performed by His Worship the Mayor
(Alderman L. T. Snell, J.P.), the Chairman of the Public Health Committee (Councillor W. H. Crook) being in
the Chair. It is estimated that 1,500 persons were present at the time.
Exhibits. The standfitting and lighting contract was let to Messrs. The Springvale Exhibition Standfitting Co.,
Masboro' Road, W., whose tender was the lowest. The total cost amounted to £437 0s. 9d. The firm are to be
complimented on the character of their work and the expeditious and careful manner in which it was carried out.
The Borough Engineer reported as a result of his inspection with the Architect after the holding of the Exhibition
that great credit was due to the contractors for having caused so little damage.
Voluntary organisations, including the officers of the Public Health Department, provided 23 exhibits of a
most diverse and instructive character. Trading concerns—more or less interested in health and sanitary affairs—
took 13 stands and, incidentally, provided a revenue of £181 11s. 11d. From the point of view of space allotted
it is estimated that about 75% was for voluntary and 25% for trade organisations. Having regard to the comprehensive
nature of the Handbook (about 10,000 copies of which were issued to visitors, etc.) it is unnecessary for
me to describe the various exhibits. I feel, however, that special mention should be made of the Departmental
exhibit which was of a most original and instructive character and reflected great credit on the members of the
Staff concerned.
The proceedings were interspersed with cookery demonstrations undertaken by the Gas Light and Coke
Company and the National Milk Publicity Council. Each evening, too, pupils from either Beethoven Street,
Moberly or Amberley Road Schools rendered musical items and gave demonstrations of drill, dancing and remedial
exercises—much appreciated interludes.
Brochure. These were supplied gratis by a firm of publicity agents.
Music. Music was broadcast throughout the Hall by means of the "Orkestrola" apparatus kindly loaned
by the British Thomson-Houston Company and fitted by Messrs. R. Brightwell, Limited, of Queen's Road,
Bayswater, in conjunction with their electrical, etc., exhibit on the stage.
Refreshments. Mr. F. H. Lloyd of Formosa Street, Maida Vale, was entrusted with the catering arrangements
and the general public were enabled to obtain light refreshments at popular prices in the Buffet organised for the
purpose. A Lounge and Rest Room on the Balcony for the members of the Council and their friends and a
Retiring Room for the Exhibitors' staffs were provided, and refreshments were also available there when necessary.
School Children's Visits and Competitions. With the approval of the London County Council and with the
kindly assistance of the Education Officer's staff and the teachers concerned, organised visits were paid by
parties of children from the schools of the Borough. Owing to the short duration of the exhibition only two
mornings (during which time the general public was excluded) were available for these tours and the visits
consequently had to be confined to children in the final year of their school-life. Altogether some 550 scholars
visited, in four parties, and were given short lectures at the following Exhibits:—Blind Institution, Maternity
and Child Welfare, Dental Board, New Health Society or Institute of Hygiene and the Public Health Department.
A final address was given by myself on the subject of cleanliness and all the children who constituted these
parties were, during the following week whilst at school, invited to write an essay on " The advantages of Clean
Home Surroundings." Previous to the opening of the Exhibition invitations were sent to all schools asking for
Poster Designs for a Health Exhibition to be submitted for competition and posting in the Hall. A prize fund
was inaugurated and was liberally subscribed to by members of the Council and other friends. The prize fund reached
£25 and therefrom five prizes for boys and four for girls in the Poster Competition and four each for boys and girls
in the Essay Competition were provided. In addition Certificates of Merit were awarded for all the selected essays
and posters—in all 68. His Worship The Mayor, further to evince his interest in the children, invited all competitors
to the Town Hall to a Tea and thereafter in the presence of many members of the Council and of the local
teaching staff, distributed personally to each child the various awards.
Attendance. The number of visitors exceeded all expectations. A careful computation was made each day
by a door-steward and it is estimated that the total attendance, including the Mayoral party on the opening day
and the school children, was approximately 14,500. The necessity of publicity was apparent and was met by means
of street-banners, posters and handbills—the latter distributed through the Child Welfare Centres, local hospitals,
schools and Boy Scouts.
* This amount was subsequently reduced to £384 11s. 1d.