KINDERGARTENS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 97, 27 April 1933, Page 23

KINDERGARTENS.

AUCKLAND ASSOCIATION.

COMMITTEES' GOOD WORK.

"During the year the association passed through a very critical period," said Mr. H. G. Cousins, president of the Auckland Kindergarten Association, at the annual meeting yesterday. "The cessation of all Government grants td the association after 1931 was responsible for placing our work in jeopardy."

The average attendance of children in 1932 was 345, and in 1931 402. TheGovernment subsidy in 1932 was £490, and in 1931 £1472; accumulated funds in 1932 amounted to £10,712 (including £1315 of art union proceeds), and in 1931 £10,282.

"Generous action on the part of the committees of the eight kindergartens comprising the association, in contributing towards our expenses, combined with unavoidable retrenchment, made it possible for the work to be carried on temporarily after the last Government subsidy had been expended at the end of the first term," said Mr. Cousins. "The campaign originated and carried to a successful issue by our council will enable all the free kindergarten associations in New Zealand to carry on in the meantime."

The total of savings bank balances at December 31, 1932, was £3053 6/1, an increase of £200 over balances at December 31, 1931.

"I cannot speak too highly of the work and self-sacrifice of the ladies of our committees, of their staffs, and the mothers of the children attending the schools by whose combined efforts we have been able to pass through the most critical period that has been experienced since the inauguration of our work a quarter of a ewfttury ago," continued Mr. Cousins. For this the year 1932 would be a memorable one in the association's annals, and also because, for the first time, a New Zealand kinder- • garten student had been enabled by the gift of a generous Carnegie Scholarslup to pursue advanced studies in kindergarten principles at Columbia University. In concluding, Mr. Cousins said that it was a matter for congratulation that the association was in existence at all. They were faced with the problem of financing a work which they thought should go on, one that was essential for the wellbeing of all social groups. "We must take tho earliest possible means to find ways and means of continuing with our work." New officers elected were: Patroness, Her Excellency Lady Bledisloe; president, Mr. H. G. Cousins (re-elected until the return of Mr. F. N. Ambler in September) ; vice-presidents* Mrs. M. M. Louisson and Mr. Alan Menzies; members of council, ladies —Campbell Free Kindergarten, Mesdames E. H. B. Milsom and R. M. Algie; Myers Free Kindergarten, Mesdames A. Kidd and H. J. Sellars; Newmarket Free Kindergarten, not yet known; Onehunga Free Kindergarten, Mesdames David Cuthbert and W. Kirkham; Otahuhu Free Kindergarten, Mesdames H. E. Snedden and S. Hain; Ponsonby Free Kindergarten, not yet known; St. James Free Kindergarten, Mesdames J. B. Macfarlane and A. M. Perkins; Sunbeams Free Kindergarten, not yet known; honorary secretary and treasurer, Mr. G. O'Halloran; auditor, Mr. G. C. W. Morris.