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5
these three officers, who together have a total of 62 years' service
in the Borough. It would be impossible to estimate how many
mothers and children during these years have benefited by their
im sensational but highly important efforts. Although their work
has been accepted as a matter of course, there is no doubt that the
interest, commonsense, help and advice given by them has been
of vital importance to the proper functioning of the maternity and
child welfare work in the Borough. A great deal of the work performed
by them cannot be appreciated if considered statistically
only. Much is advisory and is dependent upon their sympathetic
appreciation of the difficulties of mothers. In all these ways the
Council has been excellently served by the three officers now transferred
to the County Council.
No review of the work of this department before the transfer
of many of its members to the Surrey County Council would be
complete without a reference to our Chief Clerk—Mr. R. E. Forrest
—who, during his 20 years' service in the Public Health Department,
has done much valuable work for this authority.
For myself, I should like to express my appreciation of his everwilling
help and unfailing loyalty, and also to all the other members
of the existing staff, at this moment when the department is breaking
up. Their conscientious and good work has been a considerable
factor in the efficient functioning of the department.
One other member of the Public Health Department with many
years' service will be retiring before the preparation of another
Report—Mr. Charles S. Perchard, Chief Sanitary Inspector and
Housing Manager. Coming to Barnes in 1918, he has taken in his
stride many changes in legislation; the development of the area
from a comparatively small urban district to its present size; and
a world war with all its fresh problems and day-to-day extemporisations.
Latterly, as Housing Manager, he has been called upon to
deal with the unenviable problem of re-housing. Throughout the
years he has proved himself a conscientious and good local government
officer and from my own experience of his help I would like
to take this opportunity of thanking him for his continued assistance
and advice.
I have the honour to be,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
ROSETTA HILL,
October, 1947. Acting Medical Officer of Health.