THE RICHMOND,SCHOOLS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3095, 28 May 1917, Page 6

THE RICHMOND,SCHOOLS

Sir—Will you kindly grant me spaca to pay a tribute to Miss Richmond's good! work, for, like others, lam truly sorry, that there is a movement to chango the name of tho Kindergarten- Union—to insert. Wellington instead of Richmond. Through the efforts of Mies Richmond,, not only have the children benefited,, but the grown-ups as well. We all knowthat there are many women living m: obscurity, who, when brought into the broader atmosphere have their latent powers developed. In the pioneering work of the < ; 'kindergarten Union tho founder brougut many Wellington women into the limelight, and broadened their outlook, so that in sowing the seeds; of future knowledge in the littlo ones, these women were benefited also. About; ten years ago Miss Richmond set tho social wheels of philanthrophy and progress going—for she was interested ia many movements as well as tho kindergartens—and women harve been progressing steadily since. She gave the fillip to women's work, ami for that reason, no motion should have been taken to change the name of tho union. There is no immediate reason; and I -give, ourcitizens credit; for being broader in their views than to hesitate to subscribe to a good cause, because the name of tho founder-is attached thereto. The reason' given for the change is feeble. It seems strange that a compliment is paid in recognition of good work, and-then; taken' away without apprising the person concerned—and in Miss Richmond's case, her enforced absence—especially when the more serious and larger issues at this time no doubt overshadows her interest in the schools for tho time, being. The Richmond Kindergarten Schools aro a national benefit, and the name of the founder should bo upheld bv tho State as. well as the citizens. Few people at the time had the advanced knowledge of. kindergartening, and the ability to organise and educate others to carry on tho work that Miss Richmond had.- She spent much fimo and money studying tho Proebel method. Sho had an educational ideal, and passed it on to the city, and now for pottv reasons it is thought expedient to chango the namo of the union sho founded. Surely there are many in our midst with some senso of justice who will oppose sucn a proposal. Now that our brave boys are making history, do let us showthat our gratitude to our benefactors is not ephemeral.-I am iN etc.. 7EjiTi]j]jK _