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16
Medical Officer of Health. Some of the objects of the
new legislation are to cultivate a sense of duty in matters
affecting health in the homes of the people, to enlist the
services and interest of the parents, and to educate their
sense of responsibility for the personal hygiene of their
children. If these objects are achieved, very much good
will ensue. The Act goes very fully into the scope and
character of the medical inspection desired to be carried
out.
Reference is also made to the powers conferred upon
Education Authorities for the providing of means of
education of the Blind, Deaf, Defective and Epileptic
children.
The average daily attendance at the two Public
Elementary Schools in this district is as follows:—High
Street Schools. 820 ; Bridge Schools, 842; Total, 1,662.
The School buildings were inspected and found in good
order.
GOVERNMENT'S CHILDREN'S BILL.
This Bill has just been read a first time in the House
of Commons. It deals, inter alia, with overlying
(responsible for a yearly loss of about 1,600 infant lives),
which is constituted an offence with slight penalty (except
where drunkenness can be proved). Parents will be
similarly liable in the case of burns or scalds arising from
unguarded fires. Juvenile smoking is also dealt with.
The sale of cigarettes and cigarette papers to children
under 16 is prohibited, and children found smoking in the
street will be liable to punishment, and to have their
tobacco1 confiscated. This evil of juvenile smoking has
been much on the increase of late years. I referred to it
at some length in my report for 1901.
Any home for children supported by charitable contributions
will, under provisions of this Bill, have to
submit to Home Office inspection. The objects of the
Bill are excellent, and it is to be hoped that it will shortly
become law.
COWSHEDS.. DAIRIES AND MILKSHOPS.
There are 3 sets of Cowsheds, and 7 Milkshops and
Dairies in the district. All are registered and have been
inspected both systematically and casually, and reports