NEW KINDERGARTEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18894, 17 December 1924, Page 13

NEW KINDERGARTEN.

OPENED BY THE MINISTER.

GREY LYNN INSTITUTION.

TRIBUTE TO COMMITTEE.

"I know of no social or educational agency which is' doing more valuable work than these kindergarten schools, and for that reason I make an earnest appeal for assistance from those ablo to help this very deserving movement," said tho Hon. C. J. Parr, Minister for Education and Justice, when opening the new kindergarten building at Home Street, Grey Lynn, yesterday. There was a fair Attendance of ladies associated with the St. James' Free Kindergarten and their friends, and the president of the Auckland Kindergarten Association, Mr. 0. J. Ellerbeck, who presided, welcomed the Minister.

In his address Mr. Parr said that many years ago kindergarten schools were established in the four main centres bv the voluntary efforts of tho local people who raised all the necessary funds. He bad, however, taken the view that these schools were an essential part of the edu cational system, particularly in the crowded quarters of the larger cities. The Government had recognised the movement by granting a subsidy of £2 per pupil per annum. This was later increased to £3 2s 6d per pupil and last year ho had approached the Finance Minister with a request for further assistance and tho amount was increased to £4. Moreover, the Government also provided half the cost of the building. In the case of this new Home Street school, which would be the new home of the St. James' Free Kindergarten, the Government had contributed £621 toward the cost of the building. Tho Minister said the Auckland committee merited the thanks of the community for raising the money and equipping the school. These schools were doing .excellent work, as they took the children, mostly of working people, and from the age of about three to five years, gave them instruction and occupation in more congenial surroundings than were found in the sunless backyards and the street channels in which children were unfortunately often to be found. There were four kindergartens now in Auckland, but to his mind there ought to be at least a dozen. It was impossible for the Government to find all the money required for this valuable work and he therefore made a strong appeal to people of means to holp. He mentioned that the Auckland Kindergarten Association had to raise about £1500 each year in order that the work might be carried on. Tho Minister was heartily thanked for his part in the ceremony and for the assistance he had given to tho (movement generally. Tho new building is one of one storey and contains a large class-room, with the necessary smaller rooms and conveniences and is thoroughly up-to-date in every respect. It is fitted with the small seats rnd desks suitable for the tiny scholars and has the cooking appliances necessary for preparing meals for the children. The popularity of tho new school, which has accommodation for approximately 70 pupils, may be gauged from the fact that already 57 applications for enrolment have been received. Miss E. Jones, who was in charge of tho old kindergarten in Wellington Street, has been appointed mistress of the new school.