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87
Repayments.—In most cases the full cost of the dentures is repaid
by the mother, usually by instalments of 2s. 6d. a week. In
necessitous cases the charge is reduced, or no charge made.
The mothers are very grateful for the opportunity of obtaining
skilled treatment for their teeth, and in practically all the cases
they volunteer to pay without assistance from the Committee contributions
of 2s. 6d. per week towards repayment of the cost.
The work at the Douglas Road Centre, as shown by the attendances,
is still impossible. One cannot do duty to the cases as they
arise owing to the continuous pressure. The Nurses have no time
to give any instruction, and the average Clinic leaves one at the
end of the afternoon absolutely dog-tired. The wonder to me is
that the parents still continue to attend in such numbers, in view
of the scanty time one has to give to the cases, and the crowding of
the waiting hall.
At Douglas Road a Mothers' Committee has been active during
the year. Sewing meetings have been held; the garments are sold
at various sessions at the Maternity and Child Welfare Centre.
Maternity bags with complete outfits were provided for the use of
the poorer members.

No special measures exist for dealing with unmarried mothers
or illegitimate children of such, but cases not wholly destitute have
derived benefit through the Council's scheme for grants of food and
milk.