Norwich bulletin., 1916-10-19

ing in the rear of the present one, said Mrs. Frank A. Mitchell, secretary | of the town visitors, in her report at l the annual meeting of the New Lon | don County Home which was held on | Wednesday morning at Il o'clock.
 Charles H. Smith of Groton, chair man of the county commissioners, | presided and County Commissioner AL | bert H. Lamphear was present. Rev. | Charles H. Ricketts, pastor of the | Greeneville Congregational church, 1 opened the meeting with prayer.
 Mrs. Frank A. Mitchell. secretary of | the board of visitors, presented her report as follows:
 In the most concise manner the fig ures just presented give an idea of the magnitude of the work of the New London county temporary home, and your visit today when you may look into the faces of the children, note their good health and the general con- dition of the whole place, gives an opportunity to judge of it's success or failure so far as the children in the home family are concerned. The gen. eral good health which has prevailed for so many years is due largely to the excellent care given them, for as you all well know, the buildings them selves are inadequate: the sanitary ar engagements are not at all sufficient for a family of this size-frequently over 90; the school rooms are loW-ceiled and difficult to Ventilate, while the play rooms are not much more than places of detention. In the winter season, when the weather is indictment and the ground wet and cold, these rooms must be used to a great extent. Very soon the air becomes foul and in changing it, the wind drawing in directly results in many colds and coughs. It is only a miracle that pneumonia has not taken toll, due to these trying conditions.
 New Building is Needed
 Last year mention was made of the need of new buildings, and the delay in asking for them was properly laid on the general movement looking toward the abolishment of the county homes of Connecticut. This seems to- day no more likely of attainment than at that time, and so it is quite prob able that your board of mana cement will ask county officials to appropriate sufficient funds to enable the board to erect one building in the rear of the present structure.
 This building might contain three school rooms, boys dormitories matron's room, and in the basement shower baths and toilet accommOda- tionS which would be sanitary and could be connected with the public sewer now in use It has been found lmpracticable 10 put such a system into the present buildings
 The people of this county have at heart the interests of this home, and doubtless the senator and representa- tiVes will approve of the plan sub mitted to them.
 The present school rooms would make excellent play rooms, and the space above could well be utilized in smaller rooms, of which there is great scarcity. A matrons assistant could have comfortable quarters in one end A room for temporary hospital could hC T be an excuse for housing girls in the attic, cut off from any possible escape in the event of d serious fire In this wooden building the one stairway would be in effect a chimney up which the flames would leap. The present building is condemned by our fire chief, by the secretary of the state board of education and by every sen sible person who inspects it.
 The receiving cottage has cared for 28 during the past year, and at times has been taxed to accommodate the number sent them, which was so large that for weeks seven children were continuously there.
 Just now the shed room in the rear of this house has been enlarged It will now serve double purpose, be- ing partly for domestic uses and more particularly for a play room for the children, where in bad weather they can be directly under the supervision Of the matrOn in charge.
 Home School Doing We'll.
 The home school is doing we'll In spite of the illness of the winter of 1914-15, good progress has been made. The rooms in the house north of the home property, which were secured last year for the use of the lower grades, have proved very satisfactory, and it is pleasant to record that we now have for those grades a fine ex- F0aJ-ianne1 fpnH17nT with Miss Leach and Miss Holden make a school force of which the home need not be ashamed.
 The summer school was maintained as usual for five weeks under excellent teachers, and besides Keeping the gave them new work of such nature as to interest and entertain as well as to instruct.
 The garden has done well, too and this with almost no labor except that given by Mrs. Gibson and the boys Corn has been fine, as well as beans, cahbages and potatoes, a number of plantings resulting in a long season of various vegetables. You are invited to look at the size of the children and compare it with the size of the gar den! You will surely think someone did a good deal of work
 There were the usual festivities at Christmas time, dinners and toys being all they should De, put the best gift of years was one which many of the children had the pleasure of giving as well as of receiving.
 A good amount of money was avail able from the donation of our sener- ous friend, George Carroll, and about 25 children worked to contribute to the general fund. So with assistance from the commissioners personally and from a few other friends enough money was secured to purchase really fine Victrola, with a good number and an excellent assortment of records. This Is a constant source of pleasure. and it's usefulness can be almost indefinite ly prolonged by the addition of new records.
 Norwich lodge No $50, Order of Moose, invited the whole home family to attend the Moose carnival in July. Although it was not possible to attend, the invitation was highly appreciated.
 Doubtless owing to the particular necessity for precaution this summer, no outings other than walks in the neighborhood of the home have been undertaken, and for similar reasons, in common with other institutions where children might be exposed to contagion, visits from outside friends