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The largest age groups were those of 5-6 and 13-14 years of age.
Excluding the 7-8 years and 12-13 years' groups, the remainder were
selected for some special reasons by the teachers or the doctor.
Those of the higher ages, 14 years and upwards, were children
attending the Higher Elementary School,
In addition to the 6,432 routine inspections, 354 children were
specially examined at the request of the Head Teachers by me at the
schools, and 2,434 children were seen by me at the Town Hall. The
latter include those referred to me by the Attendance Committees, as
well as those sent by the Teachers in response to circular letters sent
them following the holidays.
The tabular statement on page 97 shows the alleged defects for which
these children were seen.
Those coming under the Elementary Education (Blind and Deaf)
Act, and Defective and Epileptic Act, 1899, have also been inspected,
and the schools visited, by me at various times.
The total number referred for further examination was 298.
These include those who required special treatment for defects such
as Adenoids or Defective Vision, as well as those whose condition was
suspicious of Tuberculosis, Diphtheria, etc.
GENERAL DIRECTIONS TO PARENTS.
Written instructions were given or sent to the parents of 973 children,
or 15 per cent, of those inspected, and to the 3,392 who accompanied
their children friendly advice on many points was given.
HEIGHTS AND WEIGHTS.
The following tables give the average heights and weights for each
age group of all the children inspected.
In the weighing and measuring of the children the metric system is
used, as it lends itself to more accuracy, and the averages are given in
the English equivalents for comparison.
There is but little difference in the heights recorded for the age
groups 12-13 and 13 14 as compared with last year.
The group 7-8 is also similar, but the 6 7 group (boys) shows a lesser
height by 2 inches than the same group in 1909. The 6 7 group for
girls was alike in both years.
The average heights of our boys are below the general average of the
population as given by the British Association, but up to the standard
of the artisan class; those tor the girls are equal to the general population
and above the artisan class.
The weights of our children—boys and girls—are below those given
for the general population and artisan class.
This seems to be the general experience of Urban Districts.