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131
TO THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS
of the
EDUCATION COMMITTEE.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The number of children attending the Council's Elementary
Schools in 1909 was 20,282, in 1908 it was 20,133.
The Cottage Gardening scheme continues to grow in popularity,
and its usefulness is being extended, as the following figures demonstrate;
for whereas in 1906—the year of its inception—only
70 boys were enabled to profit by the scheme, this number grew
to 154 in 1907; to 200 in 1908; while during 1909 it further
increased to 250.
The School Swimming Association continues to do good work.
Nine hundred and eighty-four prizes and certificates, including
awards made by the Royal Life-Saving Society, have been competed
for during the year. Both girls and boys delight in the exercise,
and during the Summer months the Council's Second Class Swimming
Bath is occupied nearly the whole of every weekday by
the children.
The encouragement given by the Association must have a
good effect in popularising cleanliness, as well as in improving
the physique of the children; it deserves the warmest commendation
as education in its widest and best sense.
In the circular (No. 596) issued by the Board of Education,
on certain questions arising under Section 13 of the Education
(Administrative Provisions) Act, 1907, it is required that a
report:—
"should be made by the School Medical Officer to the"
"Local Education Authority, who will send two copies"