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105
Visits to three who have had the same employment
for some time have been dropped. Nine have left the
neighbourhood, five being notified to the Association who
will in future be responsible.
Ten new cases have been notified to us, three for
statutory supervision. Three are mongolian imbeciles,
three are epileptics, one is an imbecile, and three lowgrade
defectives. One of the epileptics died soon after
his return home from the Lingfield Colony.
It was with deep regret that the Committee heard of
the death of Mrs. Palmer. In her they have lost a
colleague whose judgment of the character of her pupils
was sure and kindly. Her school was a place of order
and happiness where it seemed to us the impossible was
achieved, not by drive, but by hope and courage and
knowledge.
Occupation Centre.
The great event for our defectives during the Year
has been the opening of the Occupation Centre by the
Kent Voluntary Association for Mental Welfare. This
is due to the combined efforts of our Chairman and Miss
Nugent, the Association's Secretary. After a prolonged
search for suitable premises, and many negotiations
which ended in disappointment, the Churchwardens of
St. Mark's agreed to let the Parish Hall at a rent which
the funds (contributed in part by the County Council,
and in part by the Association) could meet.
Here in St. Mark's Hall are gathered for five days
in the week, from 10 to 3, about thirty children debarred
from attendance at the elementary schools.
The sight on the opening day of the joy of these
children that they were really going to school, and of
their mothers that something was to be done for the
children, will not easily be forgotten by those who had
the privilege of an invitation to attend.
Visitors have heard relations of these defectives
speak with real gratitude of the training given at the