A GOOD CAUSE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 71, 23 March 1912, Page 11

A GOOD CAUSE.

FREE KINDERGARTEN WORK. SOCIETY'S ANNUAL MEETING* A large number of ladies, with a. few, gentlemen, attended at the annual meet* ing of the Richmond Free Kindergarten Schools. Sir Edward Gibbes presided. In a. sympathetic address the chairman made reference to the excellent and enthusiastic work that was being carried out in Wellington, and of the broadening and ennobling of the child mind under its influence. Children should be handled in good time, and their thoughte directed into the proper channel. This was the work of the Free Kindergarten, and surely ihoro was no better object to which a hearty assistance should be given. In her report on the schools, the headmistress, Miss Freeman, pointed out that the past year had seen a greater, activity in the schools, especially in the direction of aiming at a greater efficiency. The school at Island Bay had been closed, and a branch opened at Kilbirnie, which branch .was flourishing. The total number on the roll was 210 and the attendance was generally quite equal to the accommodation. Reference was made to the support accorded the institution, and Us finances', and to the inspection of the schools by Mr. T. H. Gill, the Government Inspector. A sale' of work had brought in a sum of money (£34) sufficient to provide funds for the stocking of the library, etc. A mothers' meeting had been held, and an interring lecture on heal tli given by a medico. Miss Freeman mado a strong plea for a medical inspection. It was difficult, she had found, when mothers were advised as to their children's ailments, to get these some mothers to take them to the hospital to lie treated. Another serious general defect wns in •connection with the children's teeth. She had casually inspected 122 young . mouths, and had found 86 of these whose teeth were decayed sufficient to show at a mere glance. Messrs. R. Hursthouse and M. Denniston, dentists, were commended for their work or promise of work in this connection. Eight, students had -sat for^ examination in teaching methods, etc., and all were successful m varying degrees. •A Home expert considered the examination work quite good. It was pointed out that the successful ones did not re- . ceivo diplomas, but merely certificates as to their having- passed this examination. Miss Freeman also toW of her Visit to Sydney to where they had Free and State Kindergarten. She found there an admirable spirit ef mutual help and interest between these two branches At the present time there were thirtyfour State Kindergartens, and forty altogether in the State. The Government gave an annual grant- of £lOOO> <the only condition being that the schools should be properly conducted. In a plac» where the changeable climate brought ailment* to the children, the New Zealand system, of subsidy on the attendance was not bo satisfactory. ; Miss Freeman's report was received' with applause. . According to the financial statement, there was a credit cash balance at the bank of £91 17s Id, and a sum of £2 18s 7d cash in hand. The Savings Bank account showed a credit of £113 13e 9d. The adoption of the report and bal-ance-sheet was moved by Miss M. Richmond. In a lengthy address, the speaker suggested that education was th« panacea for all social ills — education, that is of the disposition, th* feelings, and of the heart. In this direction, women, said Mies Richmond, neglected their duties. Why were there no women on education committees and Education. Boards? There should be women on all education bodies. (Hear, hear.) It was still more important that • they should think over the werk done at schools. "We women stand at the beginninz of life," concluded the speaker, "and* on the direction of the beginning depends the goal whioh is reached in the «nd." Officers were elected as follow:—President, Mis. Gill; vice-presidents, Mrs. Burnett and Miss M. Richmond j organising secretary and treasurer, Mim Richmond ; secretary, Mrs. Ctarhorn : auditor, Mr. W. C. Stephens. ' Invited to address the meeting, Mr J S. Tennant, Principal of the Training College, explained that ho would Tather not display his ignorance of kindergarten work, But in his opinion, this instruction should form an integral part of the New Zealand educational system. Of course, if it was so absorbed, it would lose the services of the present excellent friends. Mr. Tennant gave a very interesting outline of an open-air school on the outskirts of London, which "waa doing remarkably good work. A strong and influential council" was elected.