HEALTH OF SCHOOL CHILDREN.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 5, Issue 177, 24 June 1914, Page 6

HEALTH OF SCHOOL CHILDREN.

Sir,—Tho disclosures regarding the small percentage of perfectly healthy children attending tho schools of tho Wellington dietrict doubtless apply to a. large majority of the schools, in- the Dominion. Many children, living too far from school to go homo for a midday meal, have, nothing.hut a cold a::d often uninviting lunch. During the cold winter months what a boon it would bo to tho children to have a mug of hot cocoa or hot soup served to them during the ]unch time. Properly managed, this need cost but little. A copper with an urn or two could bo supplied by the school authorities, each child taking his own enamelled mug and a spoon. I myself attended a school in London where most of tho children resided at- a. distance, to dinners were served at a cheap rate. The scholars, on entering school, dc•posited in a box printed tickets (previously purchased from tho authorities) stating pudding or full dinner, as required. Ilieso .were then counted, so that the required amount of food was provided, thus obviating any waste. The elder girls took turns, in helping with the cooking, under the'supervision of a capable woman, thus learning practical cooking. Perhaps in the near future this democratic country will feel called upon to see that each child attending school has a good mid-day meal.—l am, etc., AMY MEEKIXGS, Karaugahake.