FREE KINDERGARTEN

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 142, 19 June 1922, Page 9

FREE KINDERGARTEN

A PLEASING CEREMONY.

There was a happy and interesting occasion at the Free Kindergarten School at Taranaki-street on. Saturday afternoon, when Sir Robert Stout un? veiled a sundial, which has been erected in honour oi Miss Mary Richmond, founder of the Free Kindergartens in Wellington. The sundial, which was designed by Mr. Stanley Fearn, is of low stature, to' suit the little folk who will consult and enjoy it in sunshiny hours, being placed on a wide pedestal so that they can sit around and enjoy the warmth of the sun's rays. The ornamentation is in Tudor rose style, and into tho/ base is set a plate with the inscription: "To honour Mary Elizabeth Richmond, who founded the Wellington Free Kindergartens, 1906." The motto, "Waste Not thino Hour," was chosen by Mr. Fearn as being the favourite of Mr. Austin Quick, a comrade-in-arms who fell in the Great War, aud whose mother, Mrs. W. H. Quick, of "Sanford," Wellington-terrace, was one of those who were early and energetically interested in Miss Richmond's scheme. The dial is set on a green, apart from the two trees which are one of the kindergarten joys, and has been correctly placed by the kindness of Mr. D. C. Bates, Government Meteorologist.

Sir Robert Stout, in unveiling the sundial, gave same interesting reminiscences of early kindergartens. He said he believed he had been a pupil of the first kindergarten opened in the British Isles. This was in the Shetland Islands, and was started in 1848 by a Mrs. M'Leod, who had studied the methods in America. The teacher was a. Miss Liston, who afterwards came to New Zealand. The^ Shetland Islands had etroug connections with Germany and Norway, and many of their people wore Norse. Sir Robert mentioned a ■visit of Lady Franklin to this school, during her visit to Orkney to^ see relatives of the men who were lost with her husband during his search for the NorthWest passage. Sir Robert eulogised the kindergarten ideal. It taught children to think, and this is what the world needs. If people would only think (meditate in the ways of the wise men of the East), there would be no wars and no trouble in the world. The kindergartens were a great asset to the life of Wellington. He eulogised the life of the teacher, than which, there was none finer. In this connection he spoke of Miss Richmond, who had given her best thought and work to the citizens of Wellington in the kindergartens. He,had seen her recently in London, and she was still working for the good of humanity. In this she had heredity behind her in good works and gifts, and it was our duty to carry on the old traditions in the years to come.

Mr. Burnett, a friend of Miss Richmond's and a worker for the kindergartens, added a tribute to the founder's work. He also mentioned Mrs. D. A, Ewen, Miss Helyer, and Mr. W. Ferguson's splendid help. The girls of Chilton House School who had "adopted" the kindergarten had done wonderful work, and through their efforts great improvements had been made to the playground. He also thanked Mr. Fearn, the architect, who had designed the sundial, Messrs. Irving and Burns, and Mr. D. C. Bates foi assistance.

Mrs. Gill outlined Miss Richmond's early efforts, and the spread of the work to six properly-staffed schools. It is estimated that since the inception of the movement seventeen years ago, about 200 children per annum have passed through the schools,

After the unveiling the guests returned to the schoolhouse, and afternoon tea was served by members of the - council and staff.

The guests, who were received by the president, Mrs. Gill, and the principal, Miss Riley, included a number of those who had taken part in the early days of the movement. Among the guests were: Dr. Fell. Miss D. Richmond, Mr. and) Mrs. Gill, Mr. and Mrs. Tennant, Mi. and Mrs. Burnett, Mr. and Mrs. Peacock, Mr. Winder, Mr. and Mrs. G. Dixon, Mr. Fearn, Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Luke, Hon. Dr. Collins, the Rev. Kennedy Elliott, Miss Codd. Mrs. Caughley, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. lEichelbaum, Mrs. Etherington, Miss Cable, Mrs. (Dr.) Gibbs, Miss England. Miss Seaton, Miss Hales, Mrs. J. C. Andersen, Mr. Ballinger, Mr. and Mrs. Spragg; also members of the council and.of the local committees, and a number of girls from Chilton House School. Lady Stout, who accompanied Sit Robert Stout, was presented with a posy of red and white flowers (the kindergarten's colours) by Mr; Fearn's little daughter.