SIR JOHN KIRK

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3125, 2 July 1917, Page 8

SIR JOHN KIRK

CELEBRATING HIS JUBILEE. Many people in this Dominion have long been interested in tho work of Lord Shaftesbury's favourite society, tho Ragged School Union, of which ho ivas . president from 1814 until hie death. After forty years ofh servico Sir John Kirk received a knighthood from Ring Edward ,in 1907, and. this year therefore marks his jubilee. Originally formed to provide froo elementary education for England's poorest children, the society has developed under his fostering caro in many directions. There are now, of course, no ragged schools, all having been, merged in tho national system, but tho society's influence was one of tho factors that led to increased Government aid, and the now Education Minister, Dr. Eislier, is asking tho House of Commons to spend £(,0(10,000 more por year, despite tho overwhelming cost of the war. /

Another agency "of the Shaftesbury Society, as it is now named, has been'that ■of- ministering in diverse-, ways to tho 8000 boy and girl cripples in London, alone. They are registered, visited, supplied with .surgical aid and tho, uso •.>!' special carriages, and given holiday horns residences by tho seaside," and tlio local education authorities send ambulance."! daily to convoy thoso who aro well enough to and'from (school.

It is proposed to mark this jiibileo by tho establishment of n, "biennial Shaftesbury Lectureship for tho discussion of tlio varied problems of child, life, and Sir John Kirk will giva the first on Shaftesbury Day, October 1. An endowment, fund of J!1000 is aimed at, and if any of our rcadors would like to contribute they can remit to 31! John Street, AV.C.I.', London, England.