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47
8. EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN.
During the year 199 boys seeking employment were examined,
two being refused a certificate.
They are principally engaged in milk and newspaper deliveries
and general errands. If necessary they are periodically examined
and no ill effects have been noticed from such occupations.
9. SCHOOL TEACHERS.
The Medical Staff reported on 55 teachers and candidate teachers
and paid 69 visits to teachers absent through illness.
10. PROVISION OF MEALS.
Canteen Centres have been established at the Physically Defective,
Mentally Deficient and Myope Schools.
The dinners, excellently menued, tastefully cooked and served
are supplied to all scholars attending these Centres, the parents
contributing 3d. per meal towards the cost.
The Centre in the M.D School was the first established and at
the Autumn medical inspection only one scholar, a case of Tuberculosis
and Septic poisoning, showed a loss in weight.
All the rest had increased in weight and some of the most
necessitous cases showed an increase of double that of previous
years, a result which amply justifies the generous outlay made by
the Education Committee.
During 1924, 17,703 free meals were supplied to children attending
the ordinary elementary schools, and a pint of milk per day at
school being supplied to 42 children on medical grounds.
The family income must not exceed a fixed sum per head to
permit of the granting of free meals.
Seven hundred and twenty-three pairs of boots were issued to
children during the year from the Central Boot Fund.
11. PHYSICALLY DEFECTIVE CENTRE.
On February 11th, 1924, a Physically Defective Centre was
opened in Joseph Barrett School, a portion of the building devoted
to the Infants being utilised for this purpose. The Central Hall
is divided by a curtain, one end with classrooms being used by the
Infants and the other with classrooms for the Physically Defectives.