FREE KINDERGARRTENS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20591, 14 December 1928, Page 6

FREE KINDERGARRTENS.

CLOSE OP THE YEAR. The ■ closing of the school year wascelebrated at two free kindergartens yesterday, and despite the unfavourable l weather, each was' well attended. In the morning the breaking-up of the' Richard Hudson kindergarten took place. Mrs Phillips (president of the Free Kindergarten Association) was present, and; in thanking all those who had helped the activities of the school, she referred to the Fathers’ and Mothers’ Clubs, which, she said, were of the greatest benefit in every way. Mrs T. K. Sidey also'spoke, and said that the clubs referred to by Mrs Phillips were, she thought, the only ones of their Mud iu the Dominion. They had received a great deal of attention at the recent Pan-Pacific Conference. Mrs Sidey went on to speak of the benefits derived by the children from the training they received, particularly from a health point of view. The room in which the ceremony took place was, decorated with the articles made by the children during the year. Under the supervision of Miss Duthie and .her .assistants, the children sang and played various games for the entertainment of the parents and others present, and, before the conclusion, Miss Duthie explained the: wort that had been done in the garden and presented three special to those who had done the best work in this direction.

The ceremony at the St Kilda Free Kindergarten was very similar to that at the Richard Hudson School. Reid Hall, where the classes have been held for the past seven years, was decorated with the children’s work. Under Miss Hancock, the little children gave a very creditable entertainment, and at the close a number of small objects made by the children were taken from a Christmas tree and handed to the mothers.

Mrs Hutchison, addressed the gathering. After thanking all "hose who had given their services to the kindergarten during the year, she stated that -/that would be the last occasion on which they would meet there,' as the church authorities now required the hall for their own purposes. They had always hoped to have a building of their own, but, owing to lack of funds that had not yet been realised. Fortunately, the school would be able to re-open at the boginhing ol the year, tor, through thh wurtesy bf tite Scouts’ Committee, the Scouts’ Hall, at the St. Kilda car, terminus, would, be made available for a few weeks. She appealed to all to do what was possible to make the possession of a building an accomplished fact in the near future. The Rev. D.' Hcggic, who was also to have spoken, was unfortunately nnablo to attend.