CHILDREN’S NURSERY

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 271, 12 August 1938, Page 7

CHILDREN’S NURSERY

Development Of Amenity On New Zealand Railways By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, August 11. “The plans for Christchurch’s new station, as already announced, provide for a children’s nursery and playroom section,” said the Minister of Railways, Hon. D. G. Sullivan, in an interview. “I am particularly interested in the development of this amenity upon our railways and feet sure it will be appreciated by the people of Canterbury,” lie continued. “When the children’s section on the top story of the Wellington station was opened on July 21 last year, while all concerned agreed that the arrangements made to care for children from babies a fortnight old to children of eight years were as complete and attractive as forethought and knowledge could make them possible, the public response to the new service was still in doubt. The figures for the first 22 months at the Wellington station nursery are therefore very gratifying as justifying the enterprise in tile interests of passengers travelling with children who may desire ro leave their children in safe hands while attending to shopping or other business in town.

“For the 12 months ended July 9. 3305 children were entrusted at the Wellington station to the care of the matron and her staff. This figure gives au average of more than 63 children a week and it is confidently expected that patronage will increase during the corning year. The highest attendance on any one day was 46 on Christmas Eve, and I am sure mothers and fathers will fully appreciate what a great boom the nursery was on that day for young folk.”