FREE KINDERGARTEN

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12422, 16 April 1926, Page 9

FREE KINDERGARTEN

BERHAMPORE BRANCH The annual meeting of the Berhampore branch of the Wellington Free Kindergarten . Association was held on Wednesday night last, when there was quite a good attendance of residents interested in this movement. Mr C. W. B. Edwards occupied the chair. Mrs D. C. Peacock, president of the association, was also present, and spoke of the work and forward movement taking place in cdnnection with kindergarten -work generally. The meeting was quite enthusiastic. The annual report and balance-sheet were received and adopted. The following officers and members were elected: —President, Rev. N. S. Barnett; secretary and treasurer, Mr A. G. Heron; committee, Mesdames Heron, Edwards, Beales, Morrell, Douglas, Winter, O. Hart. Bramley, Dunlop, Andrews, W. Hart, Ponman, Humphreys, Flower, Glen, Miss R. Pycroft, Messrs Edwards and Henrichs. Tho newly-elected committee are looking forward to a successful year. A pleasant evening was brought to a close with supper provided by the ladies of the outgoing committee. WELLINGTON SOUTH KINDERGARTEN The annual meeting of the committee and parents was held in St. Thomas's schoolroom. There was a good attendance of members, and also a number ot parents and friends. Mr John Castle presided. Mr J. Hooper, secretary and treasures, submitted the committee's report and balance-sheet, which showed, tnat satisfactory work had been done during the year. There was a small credit balance, and 16s 8d was paid into the Kindergarten Council’s funds diiring the year. The thanks of the committee were tendered to the director, Miss Dixon, and i\ er eta.fr. This committee and that of Berhampore are looking forward to the time when they may see the children of each district trained in schools specially designed for the purpose, and under the control of the Kindergarten Council. The chairman stressed the need for more publicity, and the possibility of educating citizens as to the great Value of the work being done; it was a national work, purely unsectarian. The children were early taught, to use their hands in conjunction with their brains, and in the course of time this would help to remove class distinctions and produce better all-round citizens. It was resolved: “That this meeting suggest that tho council should take steps to convince the new Minister for Education that an increase in the subsidy to the kindergarten schools is worthy of his consideration." A new committee was elected to carry on the work for the incoming year. Refreshments and musical games concluded a very successful meeting.