JUBILEE KINDERGARTEN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 146, 21 June 1890, Page 5

JUBILEE KINDERGARTEN.

I ANNUAL *f MEETING OP I SORIBERS.jK^twie

Yesterday alternoon a number of those interested in the Auckland Jubilee Kintiergarten attended the annual meeting: of subscribers in the old Mechanics' Institute. Before the general meeting opened the scholars to tke number of about 80 sang several hymns 'and songs under the direction of their teachers. The children then knelt and repeated the Lord's prayer, after which they dispersed, Sir William Fox presided at the meeting, and expressed pleasure that the progress of the past year had been satisfactory. Hβ considered thab the Kindergarten was worthy the sympathy of all. Whilst the colony might well be proud of its educational institutions, it had some defects. One was the entire exclusion of religious teaching from the schools. Hβ thought it a mistake to bring young people up without religious teaching. It was a greab pity to exclude religion during the most impressionable time of life. He hoped that the day would soon come when the Legislature would change a system which he believed had been introduced for the greater part because of the clamour of irreligious people. ; -v'%, r isj. r Annual Report. — The annual r6port was then read. It stated tKab during the early part of the year the average attendance had been fully maintained. Since Christmas, however, the numbera-had been reduced by 91 scholars. Of this number 50 had been dismissed in consequence of having arrived at school age, and the remaining 41 had removed from Auckland with their parents. Credit was given the school teachers for the faithful manner in which they had performed their duties, and also to the matron, Mrs Chase. The latter having resigned her position, ib had been filled by Mrs Keys. During the past year 350 fee 3 had been received for babies cared for at the creche. The reporb also thanked Dr. Bond for services rendered, Mr James Dilworth for continuing his donation of £100. and. the Auckland City Council, for.,..the free use of the building. The statement of accounts as submitted showed a balance of £22 9s 3d, against which were outstanding accounts thab would reduce the crUdifc balance to £1 14s 2d. Mr Justice Conolly moved the adoption of the reports. He said there could nob be the imallest doubt as to the advantages of the institution, and it was satisfactory to learn that so large a cumber of children had been benefited ab such a email expense. Bishop Cowie seconded the motion. He said they bad seen that afternoon the respectful bearing of the children, as one of the results of the system. Hβ did not believe that the Kindergarten was imposed upon. He had seen in the creche an infant whose parents were dead, and who was paid for by its sisters, they being thus enabled to work for a living. He considered that the work done in the institution was worthy the support of the public. Colonel Haultain moved, "That in view of the benefit it confers and the support it provides, the Committee solicit for the Jubilee Kindergarten and Creche a share of the support so freely given to worthy i objects by the people of Auckland." This was seconded by the Yen. Archdeacon Maunsell, who testified to the good work done by the Christian ladies conducting the Kindergarten. The motion was agreed to, after which the Rev. G. B. Monro moved the election of the following officers for the ensuing year:—President, Mrs Tonka; Vice-Preaident, Mrs Pick- \ mere; Treasurer and Secretary, Mrs Philson ; Committee, Lady Fox, Mesdames Tonka, Bond, Hales, Asliton, Pickmere, Humphries, Kenderdine, Chataberlin, Lennox, Dilworth, Conolly, Philson, and Miss Bartley. Mr Monro defended dergarten in eloquent terms from an attack recently made upon it. He believed that the Kindergarten was a necessity, and the best possible way of training the young. The Rev. Dr. Kidd seconded the motion, which was carried. Captain- Daldy moved c vote of thanks to the Chairman, and in doing so expressed his sympathy with tße institution." ;;The seconded by Rev. Mr Monro, and carried by acclamation. The Benediction was pronounced by Bishop Cowie, and the meeting closed.