WONDERFUL WORK

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 151, 28 June 1935, Page 15

WONDERFUL WORK

BUILDJNC FUTURE CITIZENS

The report for the past year df the Wellington Free Kindergartens shows very- • excellent work done1' in the up-1 building of good future citizens among the little children wlib are not, in many cases, too fortunately placed. Unemployment, and other causes make it very difficult for the mothers to do all they would for the* children, and the kindergartens come in with extra food, clothing, and a wonderfully valuable and happy training for the'little ones, which makes for happiness now and good (character in the future.

The principal's report states that the : .health aspect of the<i work ' has deiveloped considerably. The medical examination of the children takes place in the first terra, and preventive work and early treatment of defects are. made possible. The work of Dr. Heycock and Miss Small isvmentioned as having been most valuable, and it is stated that helpful advice is given to mothers through individual talks.

"Knowing the needs of little children, and. seeing'child life everywhere spoiled by parental blundering, we cannot but deplore a condition of things that makes no provision for a universal training for parenthood and the general, care of the toddler, who, having passed out pf ■ the hands of the Plunket Society, is more often than not left to unscientific treatment," states the principal. She g«es on to say that by slightly decreasing the number of children in attendance'at the kindergartens they have been able to concentrate more on habit formation, much of an over-stimulating nature has been

A tribute is paid both by the president (Mrs. J. A. Doctor) and by the principal (Miss Enid Wilson) to the fine work of the staff, and regret is expressed at the departure of one or two to "fresh pastures," and at the death of Miss Eiley, a pioneer director, and of Miss Ramsay, ■<§ valued director of Wellington South Kindergarten.

The value of the Mothers,' Clubs is alluded to with special appreciation. Their work, it is stated, is beyond praise, and they fulfil a vital need in each district. They contributed handsomely towards the funds, and helped in the "copper trail", and other moneyraising efforts by the council. Many friends receive hearty thanks for getting up dances and bridge parties, and giving other aid to the kindergartens. Student training is going, on satisfactorily. Details are given of the comprehensive work 'in hand training, Nature study music, hygiene, and in a number of other directions. The students do good -work, and a great deal of kind and useful assistance comes from competent people outside. The visit of Mrs, Keppell, wife of the director of the Carnegie Corporation, was a great pleasure, and gave her an idea of the work being done in New Zealand. x \ The council offers special thanks to the following:—The Macarthy Trust for their donation of £250; the trustees of the late Sir Charles Skerrett; the Mayor and Council of Wellington for their renewed subscriptions; to the honsolicitors, Messrs. Perry, Perry, and Pope; Mr. Leigh Hunt, hon. auditor; hon. medical advisers, Drs. Corkill, Chapman, Usher, Rawson, and Hutchinson; the Health Department and Dr. Ada Paterson; hon. architect, Mr. Gray Young; Mr. Barron for typing of annual reports; Mrs. Hope Gibbons, Lyall Bay, for generous support to Newtown committee; Wellington Gas Company, for the gift of a stove and other generous help; the laundry companies who helped with gratuitous service; to various firms who have given gifts in kind too numerous to mention; to Miss Wilson and staff for their loyal service; to all voluntary helpers; to the Press for generous publicity;, to the men's advisory committee, and Mr. F. V. McLean (chairman); to the annual subscribers, and all who helped in.kind; to members of the ladies' auxiliary, especially Mrs. D. C. Peacock as president, and the hon. secretary, Mrs. Macdonald Wilson; to the secretary, Mrs. Dowsett, who among secretaries is unique, indefatigable in her efforts to achieve, plenteous in mercy and abounding in good works.