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34
The high rent factor is too well known to call for much comment. A so-called furnished
room will rent at from 15s. to 27s. 6d. per week and an unfurnished room (difficult to obtain)
will realise 8s. to 16s. weekly (decontrolled), the size of room and the neighbourhood being,
of course, accountable for variations.
As regards large families the following can be mentioned as extreme instances of necessity
for assistance under the scheme:—1 family of ten (housed in one basement room) and 6
families of nine (1 family in one room and 5 families in two rooms each).
Whilst making a passing reference to housing, mention can be made of the following
further cases coming within the purview of the Scheme during the year:—Four families
of 7 persons, four of 6, and ten of 5, all in occupation of one room only.
Other recipients of grants included:—Unmarried mothers, 12; Deserted or separated
mothers, 10; Widows, 8 (one with 8 children and one with 9); wives of men in the Navy
or Army, 4.
A noteworthy feature is that the "centre of gravity" of grants has shown a tendency
of late years to move towards Westbourne Ward. Many houses in the south-western quarter
of that area have gradually developed into one- and two-roomed tenements, with the natural
result that there has been a great influx of persons from other parts. In this district one finds
mainly the low-paid class of worker previously referred to.
This influx has been a prime factor in the increase of grants, for over one-fourth of the
families dealt with have been newcomers to the Borough.
Visitation of the homes of grantees by the School for Mothers' Visitors regularly, and
by the Investigation Officer intermittently, continues. About 3,500 interviews between
applicants and the Investigation Officer have taken place during the year, in the homes or
the office. Generally speaking the recipients of grants can be trusted to report any change
of circumstances, but close touch has to be maintained with a certain class. The Committee's
grants usually cover a period of four weeks but discretion is allowed the Officer to divide
them into shorter terms if thought desirable.
Particulars of Milk Grants during 1930.
(1929 figures in brackets).
The total number of cases considered by the "Grants" Committee during the year
was 2,519 of which 652 represented new applications. These latter were divided up as
follows:—
Number of Refused or
New Applications. Granted. referred to Guardians.
Fresh Milk 561 (390) 489 (288) 72 (102)
Dried Milk 87 (53) 82 (49) 5 (4)
Dinners 4 (—) 4 (—) — (—)
652 (443) 575 (337) 77 (106)
Number of Orders for Milk 1,761
At Total Cost 1,730
At Half Cost 31
Number of Quarts at Total Cost 21,594
„ „ „ Half Cost 402
Total Number of Quarts 21,996
£ s. d.
Cost of Milk at Total Cost 597 2 6
,, „ Half Cost 5 8 7
£602 11 1
Number of Orders for Dried Milk 361
At Total Cost 361
At Half Cost —
Total Cost of Dried Milk £105 3 0
Number of Orders for Dinners 8
Number of Dinners supplied at Total Cost 107
Total Cost of Dinners £6 6 2
Invalid Children's Aid Association.
A grant of £10 in aid of the funds of the local branch of the Invalid Children's Aid
Association was made.