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11
"In 1904 your Medical Officer of Health strongly recommended
that the entrance age should be raised. Medical Officers
throughout the country are agreed that the congregation of
young children under five years of age is the best means of spreading
and developing Measles, Whooping Cough, Scarlet Fever,
Diphtheria, &c. The admission of children under this age iscontrary
to the World's wisdom.
"In Germany, Hungary, Portugal, Prussia, and Switzerland,
the admission age is six years. In the Netherlands, Norway, and
Sweden, it is seven years. In the United States, two States
admit at six; six admit at seven; and 17 at eight. In New South
Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia, the age
is six, and in South Australia and Tasmania it is seven. In
North-West Canada, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia., it is
seven, and in Ontario, eight.
"I can find no country except ours that has adopted such;
an early age as five."
SWIMMING.
The Ley ton Schools' Swimming Association enjoyed a capital
year, the increase in attendances and numbers who learned to swim
being most encouraging.
Attendances:—
Boys 40,092
Girls 12,182
Total 52,274
Against 48,098 in 1905.
907 learned to swim, viz 616 boys, 291 girls,
226 secured 1st Class Certificate, viz. 181 „ 45 „
368 „ 2nd „ „ „ 260 „ 108
207 ,, and ½ mile Medals, viz. 167 ,, 40 ,,
85 „ Elementary Life Saving
Certificates, viz. 76 „ 9 „
94 secured Proficiency Certificates, viz. 85 ,, 9 ,,