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75
The methods of investigation into the parents' circumstances by the Canteen
Committee and the conditions under which free meals are granted were the
same as before.
This charitable relief is not viewed always with appreciation. Observe
this note I received from a married sister of a little girl who, since the death of
the mother of both, has lived with her :—
"Thank you very much for giving Lizzie a dinner ticket, but please
don't give her any more, as I want her dinner time to mind the
baby and fetch errands."
MENTALLY DEFECTIVE CHILDREN.
On the 6th March I gave to the School Medical Inspector a list of 64 children
whose names had been recently forwarded to the Secretary of our Education
Committee, in response to an enquiry made the previous November of the head
teachers at the public elementary schools; also a list of 13 children not attending
school (in March, 1915). The total of 77 was subsequently increased to 85.
On Friday, 25th June, your Secretary, Dr. Strong and I attended a whole
day conference at the City Guildhall of representatives from England and
Wales, organised by "The National Association for the Feeble-minded."
Dr. Laval, the special County Medical Officer, visited the Secretary and
myself on July 30th. The information he asked for was :—
The names and addresses of the children who:—
1. Are between the ages of 5 and 7 and are alleged to be mentally
deficient; the only one was placed in Class III.;
2. Are reported by the Certifying Officers as being suitable for a
special school;
3. Are reported by the Certifying Officers as being unsuitable for a
special school;
4. Are between the ages of 14 and 16.
This was supplied to him.
My final report on the results of the examination by your Certifying
Officers was presented to you on the 21st September. I stated then that the
examinations as shown by the schedules F which had been filled up, had
resulted in the following classification :—
1. For an ordinary public elementary school (with or without
particular supervision or modification of curriculum) 17