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as Medical Adviser; she attends twice a week, Tuesdays and Fridays. I
represented the Centre at a conference in London and presented a report
thereon to the Committee on 26th July, 1918.
Dated August 6th, the Local Government Board sent my Council a copy
of the Maternity and Child Welfare Act just passed into law, with a circular
letter again calling attention to the constitution of the Committee, which did
not comply with the definite terms of the Act, Section 2. This was referred to
the Committee for consideration and report, but nothing had been done by
end of 1918.
In September, the Chairman of the Council and I presented a report on
a conference we attended on July 9th, of Local Authorities in the Middlesex
portion of the Edmonton Parish, with the Guardians, which considered proposals
of Tottenham as to the provision of maternity beds without the taint of
pauperism. The meeting produced no result, as it was soon evident that it
should have been preceded by a meeting of the Local Sanitary Authorities
without the Guardians; neither were the Guardians prepared with any statement
as to the terms on which all or any of the Authorities could retain the
use of beds for mothers recommended by the Medical Officer of Health.
In October, the Committee decided to adopt Clause 5 of the Regulations
in the circular, re grants, of the Local Government Board dated 9th August,
viz.: "The expenses of a Centre." What the meaning of this resolution is
I fail to understand. I am not responsible for the minutes of the Committee,
or its report to the Council.
I regret to report that the Committee has failed to secure the confidence
and co-operation of all the medical practitioners and midwives; opportunities
which I pointed out were usually missed. The work at the Centre is not conducted
in the best way to be of educative value to the mothers.
On January 22nd, 1919, the Accountant reported that the Government
had sent a cheque for £111 3s. l0d. towards the expenses of the Centre for
1917-18, which had been paid into the Committee's bank.
At the end of the year I was still without any salary as Supervisor. On
the other hand many difficulties were placed in the way of my carrying out the
duties to my satisfaction.
THE DAY NURSERY.
On the 28th March, the Council considered a letter from Mr. Beer, dated
5th March, stating that he had bought the freehold house, "The Rosary," Fore
Street. N. 9, with the intention of preparing it as a day nursery and had
formed a Committee to carry out the plan. He offered the Council an opportunity
of taking it over when ready. In the alternative, he asked for the
goodwill and support of the Authority. In a further letter of 20th May he
stated that £2,350 would be the amount he would expend to start his scheme.
The matter was referred to the Public Health Committee, who formed a subcommittee
to discuss the proposal with Mr. Beer. The plan of buildings and
site submitted is No. 3,219 and was approved in June.