B. S. REYNOLDS KINDERGARTEN

Evening Star, Issue 15373, 23 December 1913, Page 8

B. S. REYNOLDS KINDERGARTEN

THE OFFICIAL OPENING. There was no fuss about the- official opening of tho R. S. Hovnokls Kiiulor- , garten yesterday afternoon. It was not in any souse a ceremony. For openings .or less importance we' uave Hags and music and jomc attempt at pageantry. J" Or the K. S. Reynolds Kindergarten Wio swnpKst arrangements sufficed. A few earnest men and women assembled ami heard the facts stated. A couple or vases of choice flowers constituted the decorations. The four veteran Kindergartners whom the occasion forced to the front snt on the wee chairs that are provided for the children. The speeches were plain, unsophisticated, inspired by hope' and gladness, and free from bombast. The majesty of the subject sufficed, without extrinsic aids. It' is a big thing and needs ,no booming. Such an arrange- ■ merit commended itself to the subscribers who managed to attend. They . were not there for purposes of selfglorification. Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P., presided and made a plain speech which we hud time to report in yesterday's issue. Mr H. C. Campbell, treasurer of the Building Committee, read the balancesheet and briefly commented on its outstanding features. Mr R. Gilkison handed a copy of the tnist deed to Miss Kolsey, president of the Free Kindergarten Association, and explained its terms. The property was nought from Air Shackloek and transferred direct to the association. The association was incorporated in the same way us a limited liability company. Tt was a bodv that went'on for ■over. The area of the land was LM.tU poles. The purchase price was :£L'3O. Tile association stood possessed of the property for the benefit of infants and 1 young children. If at any time the property is sold, the proceeds must be used for the purchase of another property for the same purposes in South Dunedm or Caversliam. Mr Gilkison congratulated tho association on possessing such a fine and suitable building.

.Miss Kelsoy, niter apologising for tlio absence of airs L'Jricli, .said she counted it a great honor to bo tlio one whose duty and privilege it was to take over that large and beautiful model kindergarten. As one walked around and through the building one felt that it was so rnueli more than mere briek smd mortar. One saw thought in the placing of (-very stone, and care in the itrrnngement of every corner. In all the details one recognised a wide and loving thought for the little children—- » thought that could have sprung only from an intimate knowledge of children's needs. For this thov knew that Miss Ruby Darling and the Building Committee wore to he thanked. They must also acknowledge the great help rendered to the cause bv the mothers of that district. From the very beginning, at Miss Darling's instigation, they took her thought not only into •their minds, but into their hands and hearts, awl, with, great self-sacrifice and persistent zeal, worked for two rnothcrs' bazaars. It was through •their self-denial that the land was bought, and it was the example of their enthusiasm which brought so manv subscribers into the field. Mr Cohen had nlso done much for the movement, and Bho joined with her committee in taking that opportunity of thnnking him. Tt wns hoped that this would not be the only kindergarten in South Duuedin. On Saturday morning she had received from the Bev. .Mr Kairmaid the offer of his hall for another school. The Hon. James Allen then addressed the meeting. 11 is speech will bo found in another column.

Airs Reynolds, in moving a vote of thanks to Mr Allen, spoke with gratitude of the encouragement given to the scheme by that gentleman at n time when the promoters were almost in a state, of despair; and she also acknowledged the great and continuous services of Air-Cohen and Miss Kelsoy. Mr Mark Cohen, in the course of a few remarks, said that the time was now ripe, or shortly would be ripe, for a movement to start in the north end of the City a building similar to that in .South Duuedin. The ground was waiting for them. Jf an appeal were made in the proper quarter lie belk'ved the response would he all that could he desired. Mr Cohen added that sufficient funds had been collected to purchase a new piano for the .Rachel Kevnolds (School.