DUNEDIN FREE KINDERGARTEN ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17936, 15 May 1920, Page 4

DUNEDIN FREE KINDERGARTEN ASSOCIATION.

The annua] mating 1 o{ thw association was held yesterday afternoon at Cibv llall, tho Mayor (Mr W. Begg) presiding. Tito Chairman, in opening the proceedings, <»ofiftrßtulut.(yl tin? association on tho work done for tho year, ami especially on tho completion of tho Kolscy-Yaralla Kindergarten. Tlio corporation reserve, which tho'school occupied, was being made suitat>lo for a playground ae rapidly as possible, though tho grass had not- grown yet. ITo was pleasod to learn that the scJtool would lxj declared open oil Saturday afternoon next. Mrs Gilkison moved tho adoption of the report (already published) and Ivilatico shoot, and in doinp so reviewed the work accomplished during her four years' presidency. Sho said she was very glad to bo able to strike a cheerful noto for tho first time. Tho association was now fairly on tho up-grade. She left tho ofl'rcc of president with some regret, but slve knew thnt in Miss Alexander they would havo a president who would carry on its activities with ability and enthusiasm. In the year 1916 tlio Government -paid a subaidy of £2 her head for every child; in 1918 that was increased to £& 2s 6d: and ot tho last visit of tho Minister of Education they had payed tho wny for a further inoroaso. This improvement in their finances had cnablod them to maJce two increases in tho salaries paid to tho toaqhers, which, however, were still far too low. By moans of two street collections tlioy had raised £500, and this had enabled them to procecd with the erection of the new school. In tho past the money raised had all to *bo spent in tho year that it was obtained, but now they were able to hold it over, and this was a <rreat help. They hod brought Miss Bird over from Sydney as their superintendent, and that wan a good stop forward, bccauso that la<lv brought with her a thorough knowledge of her work, wide experience, and great enthusiasm, and they expected great things from her. But with their advance came the necessity for raising more money, and by means of rummage sales and other efforts they had obtained all the money required for the building. In 1916_ their income was £500, and «ince then it had been increased to £752. then to £90i. and last year to £1163. Sho thought that was a very hopeful record. —(Applause.) Miss Rawson, in seconding tho motion, said it was tho devotion and energy of a few people that had made prepress possible. Sho would like to see hundreds of parents interested in tho work. It was rsaliy a wonderful system, laying the foundation for training tho children to become useful citizens. ono necessity for the future was tho examination of tho physical condition of tho children, which often, owing to malnutrition, .was not what it ought to be. This meant that there was a necessity for instruction amongst the parents, who were generally found willing to do their best. This was a matter in which eho took a keen interest, and was prepared to take an active part in it.—(Applause.) Miss Bird also spoke to tho motion, dealing mainly with the trend of modern education. Instead of making the instruction at school, as it used to be, the end, it was now regarded as a means to an ond; the object was to develop the children and enable them to assist in their own education. In the kindergarten self-freedom and solf-disoiplino were taught, and it was astonishing how easily the children assimilated the teaching. Tho young folks were taught not to give way to pain. A boy in tlio football field was prepared to put up with all sorts of knocks in order to trot into the school team. The youngsters wero allowed freedom so long as thev d:d not interfere with the freedom of others; when it did tho function of the teaoher or the mother came in." Tho idea was to lit the children to become better citizens. — (Applause.). Tho motion oarriecL Mr M. Cohen congratulated tile speakers upon having struck a high tone, instead of indulging in platitudes, and he_ hoped this would characterise future meetings of the association. Ho moved that the thanks of the association be conveyed to the executive of the Caversham Presbyterian Church for granting tho free use of the hall as a school in tho past. He remarked that for tho present year the. kindergarten at Carcreham would be held in tho Baptist Schoolroom, and he hoped that next vear they would bo able to announco that they had secured a permanent building. The motion wos carried, with acclamation. , , , . Mr Cchen tben moved— That this meeting records its high appreciation of the unselfishness, enthusiasm, and inspiring services of Mrs Gilkison as president during tho past four years, and in appreciation thereof elects her a life member of the association." • Mrs Bridger eeconded the motion, which was supported by Professor White, and carried with acclamation, and Mrs Gilkison suitably responded. The Hon. G. M. Thomson moved that the following office bearers be elccted. for the ensuing 12 months President, Miss H Alexander; vioe-preside'hta—Mesdames R. W. ferickell, T. K. Sidey, and Gilkison; secretory and treasurer. Miss C. E. Glendining; committee —Mesdames Cameron. Clapperton, Batham, de Beer, .T. R. Glendming, Hutchison, Hancock. Isaacs, Kahlenburg G. M. Mac Lean, Morrell, E. Halsted,' W. H. Reynolds, J. Ross, J. W. Smith, Ulrich, S. Solomon, G. E. Thompson, Misses Kelsoy, Joachim, Maxwell, Ulrich Bird; Education Committee—Mesdames 'Brickell, De Beer. A. Fe!s. Batham, Gilkison. Misses Alexander and Bird; Advisory Board—Hon. G. M. Thomson, Professor D. R- White, Messrs M. Cohen, W. Davidson, R. Gilkison,' and Miss Maxwell; hon. physicians —Drs Colnuhoun, Martin, Williams, and "Harrison: hon. solicitors— .Messrs Gilkison and White and Mr T. K. Skley, M.P. In doing, so ho exwessed tho hope 'that tho Government would take over the whole of the kindergartens—not altogether, for it would be a pity to 'freeze up tile interest of the ladies and others who had done suoh good work in tho past. Tho motion was carried unanimously, and Miss Alexander briefiv returned thanks for hor election as president.