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67
All the children—except one, who lives near the schoolreceive
a midday meal at the school, at a charge of 4d. per head per
day, or 1s. 0d. 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. The meal consists of two courses,
the first consisting of meat, fish or thick soup with two vegetables,
and the second a milk or suet pudding.
MENTAL DEFICIENCY CLINIC.
A clinic is held at the Tow n 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.
Until April, the Occupation Centre classes continued to be
held at' Eldon House and at 13, Katharine Street, as follows:—
Class I.—For low grade children, 2 sessions per week; 4 girls
and 8 boys were on the register.
Class 11.—For girls over 10, 1 session per week; 7 girls
attended, and'were taught rug weaving by a
voluntary teacher.
Class 111.—For boys over 16, 1 session per week, 5 boys in
attendance; taught raffia work and basket making.
In May, the Occupation Centre was transferred into rooms on
the ground floor of Grangewood House, the upper floor of which
is occupied by the Special School for mentally defective children.
Two class-rooms and a staff room are provided. A midday meal
of two courses is served to each of the younger children who attend
morning and afternoon, the meal being prepared in conjunction,
with that for the children attending the Special School, and the
same charge, viz., 4d. per meal or Is. 6d. per week, being made.
The Occupation Centre consists of three classes:—
Class 1.—For children of low grade under 16 years of age.
Classes II. and III. for lads and girls over 16, under statutory
supervision, who are at home and not at work, and in whose case
institutional care does not at present seem necessary. Most of
them have been at the special school till 16.