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56
Now I come to the financial side! In my last report I appealed for more
financial support. I regret, however, that the additional support was not
forthcoming, but recognise what a difficult year we have passed through and
candidly I am not very surprised: but it is most essential for the well-being
and the upkeep of the Nursery that we should receive more consideration and
help from the populace of the Borough of Hackney.
There has unhappily been during the past year a further decrease in the
revenue of the Nursery as represented by voluntary contributions; this was
probably due largely to the state of unrest through which the country as a whole
has suffered.
Then, for the second year in succession, we have been notified by the London
County Council that our grants from the Sunday Cinema Fund have again been
reduced, because our income from voluntary sources has decreased.
This creates a somewhat Gilbertian situation, for it appears that the greater
the decrease in our voluntary subscription, the less help we can expect to receive
from the L.C.C. Cinema Fund, and frankly, it does seem that surely it should
be just the reverse.
It is a severe loss, and I do now most earnestly appeal to every Institution,
Organisation, Firm and Individual in the Borough to rally round and give
their practical sympathy and support to the Nursery.
I am definitely an optimist and look forward to 1939 with every confidence,
that Hackney will take a keener interest, provide the means and so help to
maintain at the highest point of efficiency the good work of its own Day Nursery.
HONORARY MEDICAL OFFICER'S REPORT.
(Stanley W. Turtle, L.M.S.S.A. (Lond.).)
The fifth year in the life of the Hackney Day Nursery is drawing to a close,
and I am asked to furnish a report.
It is to be regretted that this is not so favourable as past years, owing to
the irregular attendances; firstly from Whooping Cough, Measles, Coughs and
Colds; lastly, and by no means least, the economic conditions, causing
unemployment.
In spite of this, Matron and her staff have valiantly carried on, I say
valiantly, using it in its fullest meaning.
I wonder how many of my readers realise what this irregular attendance
means. Children are brought to the Nursery, they are just reacting to regular
feeding and trained attention when, for one of the above reasons, they are unable
to come, perhaps for a week or more; they return and the whole training has
to be restarted.
Early in the year we were successful in getting a large number of the children
immunised against Diphtheria; for this we must again thank Dr. Dart and
his staff, and also congratulate Matron on the wonderful confidence she has
gained with the Mothers.
The regime of the Nursery remains at its high level. This has indeed been
a difficult year; the Committee and staff are to be commended for their efforts.
I close this report, wishing them success in the forthcoming year.