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54
All the children—except one, who lives near the school—
receive a midday meal at the school, at a charge of 4d. per head per
day, or 1/6 per week; nearly all the children pay the cost of the
meal. The meal, besides assisting materially in improving their
physique, serves as a valuable means of educating the children in
manners and a sense of order.
Particulars as to children discharged from the school during
the year will be found in the appropriate section of the school
medical report.
MENTAL DEFICIENCY CLINIC.
A clinic is held at the Town Hall for the examination of
children and others referred for investigation on account of backwardness
or suspected mental deficiency. Particulars as to the
numbers seen and the action taken will be found in the school
medical report.
OCCUPATION CENTRE.
The three classes of the Occupation Centre have met regularly
and done good work during the year. The Centre has been conducted
by voluntary workers, under the general control of the
Mental Deficiency Committee.
The children's class, which has met on Wednesday and Thursday
afternoons, has 9 boys and 6 girls on its registers, and has had
an average attendance of 7 to 8. Good progress has been made in
teaching elementary handwork, a knowledge of colours, exercises
for giving a knowledge of balance, kindergarten games, songs,
etc., and the children show a greater sense of co-operation both in
work and in play. The Committee has owed much during the previous
years and during the first half of 1923 to the devoted service
rendered by a voluntary worker who, however, unfortunately found
it impossible to continue the work. From the beginning of September
a paid supervisor with two voluntary assistants conducted
the children's class.
The class for boys over 16 has met regularly at 13, Katharine
Street on Thursday afternoons, under the charge of a voluntary
helper, 6 boys being in attendance. A number of raffia table mats
and small baskets have been made, and many sold at a small profit,
One boy was also taught to re-seat cane chairs,