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the Domestic Science-Mistress, who is very keen on dietetics,
talks to the children about the food which is to be prepared for the
day and about food values generally. She then sends some of the
girls out to buy the meat or fish and vegetables, so that they get
a complete practical training. This Mistress has been a splendid
influence on the children, but unfortunately she has now left us.
Since the beginning of the scheme, and up to December 31st,
1933, 360 children have been kept under observation and supplied
either with milk and meals, or milk, or meals only. 292 received
milk and meals, 64 milk only, and 4 meals only.
On December 31st, 1933, there were 186 children on the list,
127 receiving milk and meals, 2 meals only, and 57 milk only.
It will thus be seen 174 that children have been taken off the
list. 55 of these have left school, 31 have removed from the district,
and 88 have had meals discontinued, either because parents have
obtained work or because the children reached the standard weight.
All these 88 children were still weighed at monthly intervals.
85 continued to gain weight, 3 who were taken off meals because
the parents obtained work, lost weight in the first 3 months. One
lost 1¼bs., another 11bs. 3 ozs., and the third 31bs. 2 ozs. These
children however, had all suffered an illness, the first had bad tonsillitis,
the second Chicken-pox, and the third glands in the neck.
We consider the fact that 85 continued to gain weight a most
satisfactory state of affairs.
During the year 1933, 54 children received free milk only,
4 received meals only, and 223 received milk and meals.
The total number of meals supplied was 19703, the figures
at the various Centres being as follows:—
Acton Wells 559
Beaumont Park 6056
Central 2456
JohnPerryn 3121
Priory 4969
Southfield 2542
Total 19703