KINDERGARTEN FOR PONSONBY.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 140, 14 June 1888, Page 5

KINDERGARTEN FOR PONSONBY.

A meeting of ladies interested in the opening of a Kindergarten and Creche for Ponsonby was held at 3.30 o'clock yesterday afternoon in the Ponsonby Hall, when about 20 ladies were in attendance. Mrs Peacock presided and Mrs Lilly acted as Secretary. The proceedings commenced with prayer. The Secretary stated that owing to illness of friends she had not been able to. see to the question of a building. She had, however, become satisfied that the building at the end of Cook-street, which had been offered them for £25 per annum, was the place. The large room would make an excellent kindegarten, and there was another room for a creche, and also plenty of room for a play-ground. Mrs Peacock suggesbed bhab they should waib bill bhey had innds in hand, as it was nob wise bo commence in debb.

This was agreed to by those present. Thequestionof finances was then discussed and the following statement of collections made was handed in :—Mrs Oliphant and Mrs-J. Henderson had collected £16 5s 6d ; Mrs Johnson, £1 6s ; Mrs J. W. Henderson, £4 15s; Mrs Calvert, t"3 16s 6d ; Mrs Dacre and Mrs Whitaker, £7 Us Id; Mrs Elkin, who was absent from indisposition, sent a letter of apology and a statement that she had collected £4 18s ; making a total of £38 12s Id already collected. It was also stated that all the papers were not in nor the districts worked out. This was considered a very good showing for the time tiiey had been at work. Further territory was then allotted to several canvassers.

Mrs Lilly was of opinion that as soon as they had £75 in hand it would be well to have a conversazione to help forward the work.

Mrs Oliphanb suggested that they finish the canvassing and then have another meeting next Wednesday. On bhe motion of Mrs Oliphanb, seconded by Mrs J. W. Henderson, ib was decided bo ask the proprietor of the Columbia Skating Rink co give one evening's proceeds to the Kindergarten fund. Mrs Lilly explained that the charge for admission to the Kindergarten or Creche was 3d per week. Where parents were able to pay they were made to do so. The main object of the Kindergarten was to improve the coming generation of the poorer classes, and make them better than the present generation was. Many of them at the present time had no fear of God, or anything else. The spread of larrikinism was terrible, and it was to help to do away with this, and to educate the children to read the Bible and fear God, the Kindergarten was instituted. The meetingwas adjourned to Wednesday next.