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hospitals, but it is difficult to prove the statement. In most instances
the payment is about 12s. 6d. a week, but there is one institution
in the borough which receives the children of married parents who
live abroad, where the usual charge is 15s. to 25s. a week. In the
vast majority of cases, the mother regularly, pays the amount due
but naturally, there are instances where the mother either fails or
refuses to pay. In such circumstances the foster mother is placed
in a difficulty; frequently she is not in a position to keep the child
without payment and she is loth to resort to the public assistance
officer. Occasionally, the foster mother becomes very attached to
the child; her path is not so easy because of the fact that she has
received money for his maintenance.
There is no doubt that in most cases, adoption is the best
solution of any difficulties which arise, and where the foster mother
is in a position to keep the child.
Until recently, we were not aware of any organised opposition
by any society to adoption. In some towns there seems to be a
band of anti-adoption enthusiasts who persuade mothers not to give
permission for the adoption of an illegitimate child. One mother
told our health visitor quite recently that someone had called round
and urged her not to permit the adoption of the baby under any
conditions. Apart from religious considerations, it is difficult to see
the force of such advice. From personal experience, we can much
for the happy results which have accrued in the majority of instances
from adoption by foster-parents.
Section C.
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA.
Water Supply.
The Borough is supplied with water by the Metropolitan
Water Board.
Drainage and Sewerage.
All the dwelling houses are provided with water closets and
are drained into the main sewerage system.
By arrangement with the London County Council the sewage
is discharged into the London Sewers. Storm water is filtered and
emptied into the Thames.
Public Cleansing.
The house refuse is collected by the Council and burnt in the
Destructor. Last year 21,109 tons of refuse were collected and burnt
Sanitary Inspection of the Area.
The following table includes the tabular statement furnished
by the Sanitary Inspector under Article 27 (18) of the Sanitary
Officers (Outside London) Regulations 1935.