CHRISTCHURCH FREE KINDERGARTEN ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20499, 18 March 1932, Page 7

CHRISTCHURCH FREE KINDERGARTEN ASSOCIATION.

The March meeting of the Christchurch Free Kindergarten Association was held in the Y.M.C.A. rooms, with Mrs H. T. J. 'fhacker in the chair. Other members present were Mesdames K. liadlield, J. R. Evans, A. peppier, Stuart, Dunbier, - Powell, ltetalhck, Kodda, Bellamy, Oodduigtofl, Hamlin, Miss L. V. Tabart, and the secretary. Airs Thacker reported that she and Mrs Evans had been the representatives from Chnstehurch when the Dominionwide petition tor the restoration of the capitation grant had been presented to the House of Parliament. She said that the delegation that waited on the House on March 3rd had been well arranged and speakers from all over the L'ominion had stressed eloquently the needs of tho young child. The delegation was promised that its claims would be carefully considered by Cabinet. An executive meeting of the Union had been held in Wellington on March 4th, when the general aspect of kindergarten affairs in New Zealand was reviewed with some anxiety. It was stated that under the present conditions some schools in various centres would be obliged to close, and these unfortunately in districts where the mothers helped to eajn the living. , It was decided not to hold a kindergarten conference this year. Mrs Evans paid tribute to the tine support that Mr D. Sullivan had given to the petition. Air Sullivan has four free kindergartens in his electorate, and his petition had over 3.500 signatures. It was arranged to hold the annual meeting on May 18th, and to accept the invitation liom Selwyn kindergarten to hold it at their school, making the afternoon a social gathering. School repprts were encouraging. Attendances had been a little affected by lln infantile paralysis scare and by "hooping cough Kacl( committee reported some fundraising event; a fair at SehvV'n on March 19th, which will be opened by bis orslijp the Mayor; a moonlight carrm al at New Brighton on Easter Saturday, which promises many attractions ; juniTile sales, bridge parties, and !" f a [j Sf '' loo ' a harvest festival will . The latt- r is an annual celeJiation in which children, parents,, and ruemners of committees al! participate. Voluntary subscriptions from parents nu-n- ® month were : Sunbeam £5 0s 3d, hilhpstovvn £3 5s B}rl, Sydenham £2 i>o S i- f J^ lw - Vn £3 Us "Richmond U'ui ' T.nnvood £3, and New Brighton £1 16 s .