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in the previous year, while those at the Open-Air Bath on the
Alexandra Park Race Course were 5,443, as compared with 9,365
in 1933. There has been a steady increase in the attention given
to swimming in the schools for many years past, and it is obvious
that swimming is a very popular form of exercise among the children.
The number of certificates of proficiency in swimming awarded to
school children during the year was 2,097. Of this number 265,
170 boys and 95 girls, were awarded certificates for swimming
880 yards. These figures are highly satisfactory and reflect great
credit on the Wood Green Sports Association, which does so much
to encourage swimming among the school children.
XI.—PROVISION OF MEALS.
A hot mid-day meal is provided throughout the year at the
Feeding Centre in White Hart Lane for a number of children who
are found to be in need of such a provision. The children are,
for the most part, selected on economic grounds, and are usually
recommended by the teachers or by members of the Care Committee,
although a number are recommended by myself on medical grounds.
The administration of the Feeding Centre is in the hands of the
Director of Education, and the food is served and the children
waited on at table by a rota of ladies, most of whom are members
of the Care Committee. The dinners provided have always been
wholesome and nutritious, and some improvement has been made
recently by introducing more variety into the menus and by
improving the kitchen equipment.
The number of children receiving dinners at the Centre during
the year was 200, of whom 161 were fed free, 36 for part payment
and 3 for full payment. The total number of meals provided was
22,649, of which 15,516 were given free, 7,086 for part payment
and 47 for full payment. The average cost per meal was 4.4 pence,
of which 2 pence represented the actual cost of food and 2.4 pence
the cost of administration.
In addition to the meals served at the Feeding Centre, 3,017
meals were provided at the School for the Partially Sighted in
Lordship Lane for the children attending there. Of these, 1,129
meals were given free, 320 for part payment and 1,568 for full
payment. These meals are cooked at the Feeding Centre.
Apart from this provision of meals, a number of children are
supplied with milk at school free of cost, and a number of others
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