AUCKLAND WEST KINDERGARTEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9437, 7 August 1889, Page 3

AUCKLAND WEST KINDERGARTEN.

The first annual meeting of the Auckland West Kindergarten and Creche was held yesterday at the rooms now occupied by the Kindergarten, the Howe-street Home. There was a large attendance of lady friends, and the proceedings were opened with prayer.

Airs. James Dacre presided, and in her opening address expressed regret at the absence of their president, Mrs. Peacock. She then referred to the establishment and progress of the institution during the last 12 months, and the useful purposes which it served.

The hon. sec, Mrs. Oliphant, read the annual report which commenced by detailing the facts to which the institution owed its existence through the efforts of Mrs. Dudley Ward. It then proceeded to detail their plan of operations, and now it had been pursued after the use of the Howe-street Home was granted by the Board of Education. The school was opened on the 6th August, ISBB, and averaged a daily attendance of about 20 at first, but during the last six months, the highest number had been 69, with an average of 52. These children represent 42 families. A charge of 3d per week was made on all who were able to pay. The committee considered themselves fortunate in having secured the services of Miss Lumsden as head teacher of the school, and Miss Burnett had proved a valuable assistant. Drs. Knight and Davy had acted as hon. medical advisers during the year, and had done much good to the children, kindly giving medicine and treatment even in the homes of some who were too ill to come to school. The matron, Mrs. Hollingsworth, had while in the service of the Committee gained a high character for cleanliness and general assiduity, and the Committee greatly regretted her present illness, and the consequent termination of her engagement, she having resigned last week. The report concluded by referring to the kindness of many friends who had assisted in supplying provisions for the daily dinner given to the little ones, and acknowledged the sympathy and support they had always received from the Auckland Press. Appended to the committee's report was a very satisfactory report from Dr. Knight/ The balance-sheet was submitted by the hon. treasurer, Mrs. Daldy. The total receipts were £192 2s 2d; the expenditure, £117 lis sd. Money invested as a building fund, £60 ; cash in hand and in bank, £14 10s 9d. The balance-sheet was audited by Mr. A. Boardman, and the report and balance-sheet.were unanimously adopted. Votes of thanks were accorded to the Board of Education for the use of the building and to Drs. Knight and Davy for their services as honorary surgeons. The next business was the election of officers for the ensuing year. The office of president was not tilled, it being intended to oiler that position to Mrs. Withy. The following officers were re-elected •—Vicepresident, Mrs. James Dacre; hon. secretary, Mrs. Oliphant; hon. treasurer, Mrs. A. Daldy ; committee, Mesdames Knight, Evans, Parker, Dickson, Elkin, Johnson, Cooper, Fanlder, Beecroft, Owen, Rake, and Stewart, and Misses Devoro, Masefield, and Peacock.

The proceedings were brought to a close by singing the Doxology.