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11
FOREWORD.
Local Conditions arising from the European War.
My deputy Medical Officer of Health and School Medical Officer, Dr. F. E.
Rock, was called out on mobilisation of the Royal Naval Reserve on July 13th,
1914, and has not been here since.
The first meeting after the declaration of war on August 4th was a special
one of the Fire Brigade and Parks Committee : (I presume) because so many
employed in this department are reservists of the navy or army.
On the gth August I wrote to the Chairman and Secretary of the Education
Committee in view of the meeting as below. Therein I drew their attention to
the likelihood that Dr. Rock, my deputy Medical Officer, would not be able to
return to duty on the 17th August, as had been arranged when his holiday time
was fixed, or even at any later date which could then be mentioned. I further
pointed out that the schools re-opened on the 31st August, when the medical
inspection (routine and special) of the scholars should recommence, and I
advised that the Committee should consider the matter on the 11th, or as soon
as possible, with a view of securing a temporary substitute for Dr. Rock
nt once.
On the nth August a special meeting of the Education Committee was
held to consider a letter from the Board of Education in reference to the
provision of meals for the school children, but nothing more was done.
A special Council meeting was held on nth August, when it was resolved:
"that the payment of wages to the wives of those called out for service of the
Government shall continue as long as the war lasts." It was rescinded on
27th October, 1914, and this substituted: "that the Council do make up their
money to the amount of the wages received whilst employed by the Council
and that their positions be kept open for them." It was also resolved to offer
the War Office the use of Pymmes Park House and the beds at the old
small-pox hospital at Claverings Farm. This offer was referred by the Government
to the British Red Cross Society, who declined it in September. After
the Council meeting of the nth, a meeting was held to establish the Edmonton
branch of the Prince of Wales' National Relief Fund, to which representative
men and women of the district had been summoned by the Chairman of the
Council.