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33
Borough Council required the site for flats. The Welfare Association
could only expect a value payment based on the 1939
value, and therefore any attempt to purchase another suitable
building could involve them in a high capital expenditure which
they were not prepared to accept. It was felt that the representatives
of the local authorities would not be prepared to
recommend to their Councils any extensive capital expenditure,
and it was decided that the Welfare Association would endeavour
to find a suitable building to rent.
The Merton and Wimbledon Moral Welfare Association
obtained the tenancy of the Haygarth Witts Home, The Ridgway,
Wimbledon, and after various alterations it was opened as a
hostel in June, 1947. This additional accommodation should go
far towards solving the difficulty of obtaining hostel accommodation.
Mitcham Moral Welfare Association was formed in March,
1946. Representatives of other interested local voluntary associations
were elected members of the Committee, and the Chairman
of the Public Health Committee, and the Chairman of the
Maternity and Child Welfare Committee were invited to join the
Committee.
A part-time social worker, Mrs. Tyerman, was appointed, and
the Borough Council made an increased grant of £100 per annum
towards the cost of her salary.
The association, through Mrs. Tyerman, has done excellent
work during the year, and cases referred to hostels have had their
cost of maintenance paid by the Borough Council in every case.
Care of Premature Infants
Sixty-four infants were notified as weighing 5½ lbs. or less at
birth during the year. Twenty-five occurred at home confinements,
and of this number two died, one within 15 minutes of
birth and the other, who was removed to hospital, died within
24 hours of birth.
Of the 39 infants born in hospital, eight died within eight days
of birth whilst still in hospital. Of the 31 infants discharged to