CITIZENS’ NURSERY

Evening Star, Issue 23832, 12 March 1941, Page 12

CITIZENS’ NURSERY

HIGH ATTENDANCE FIGURES STAFF ADDITION NECESSARY .That the interest in the nursery was being well maintained was demonstrated in attendance fignres revealed in the report presented at the annua) meeting of the Citizens’ Day Nursery (Incorporated), held yesterday. Mrs \V. Herbert presided. The number of children left in the nursery during the past 12 months was 3,916, the report stated, this being an increase of 647 over the previous year, and a record for the past sijf years. There were 12 children who were being left at the nursery regularly for the whole day, their mothers being at work. The nursery was, therefore, not merely a convenience, but a necessity, and the probability of larger and more convenient quarters being required in the not too far distant future would have to bo kept in mind. Financially, the nursery was in good condition and closed the year with a, credit balance.

During the year Nurses Harding and Dodd had carried out the work of the nursery splendidly, but after the holidays it was realised that as the numbers of children left at the nursery was steadily maintaining a higher average than at the time the staff was reduced to two it had become necessary to revert to a staff of three, and at the beginning of March Miss Patterson was appointed junior assistant. During the holidays Miss Manson, a Training College student, came as relieving staff member, and the committee was very ‘grateful for her excellent assistance. The Home Economics Association held its usual' garden party for the nursery on November 20, and sent to the nursery a very generous supply of toys and a donation of 14s 7d. The committee was deeply grateful to the association for its continued interest and practical support. The committee thanked the City Council, the Otago ■Hospital Board, and all voluntary subscribers for their sustained interest and support, the honorary auditor, solicitor, and doctor, and the Plunket nurse for their work on behalf of the nursery. Moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet Mrs Herbert referred to the loss the committee was sustaining through the temporary retirement of Mrs W. Ross and Mrs J. J. Marlow. Mrs Ross had been associated with the nursery since its inception and for nine years had carried out the duties of president with unswerving loyalty. Duo to her activities on war work she had been forced temporarily to retire from nursery activities. Mrs Marlow’s t services also wore lauded by Mrs Herbert who stated that her three years on the committee had been invaluable. A GRATIFYING EXPANSION. Miss E. Jackson, speaking on the report, said that it was gratifying to see how the nursery had expanded since it was formed 11 years ago. In the first year there had been about 100 children left there, but now thousands were being catered for, and they provided good revenue, apart from any other consideration. In the past year the nursery had not been put to any expense, and she expressed appreciation of the support forthcoming from the City Council and of the allocations from art unions. These were a very great help. The nursery owed a good deal to Airs Ross’s wise policy, and much of its success had been based on that. The nursery was in a sound position for the incoming year, and the committee could start off in good heart. The institution was one of the most valuable in Dunedin. The report and balance sheet were adopted. OFFICER-BEARERS. The following office-bearers were elected:—President, Mrs W. Herbert; vice-presidents—Mrs J. M‘Gill, Mrs A. Hudson, Miss E. Jackson; committee— Mesdames G. Glue, C. E. Begg, A. C. Ross, and Miss A. Borrie.