CHILDREN’S DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26608, 3 November 1947, Page 6

CHILDREN’S DAY

NEW COMMUNITY CENTRE OPENED MORNINGTON VENTURE It was children’s day in Mornington •on Saturday. Dozens of them, small and tall, thin and fat, clad in almost every conceivable type of fancy r dress, swarmed around the neighbourhood of the new community centre during the afternoon, consumed large quantities of ice cream and had a thoroughly enjoyable time. So enthusiastic were they over the proceedings, so interested in what was going on, that they climbed on to the platform beside the'official guests to listen —or not — to the speeches, and one daring youngster even occupied one of the seats while the erstwhile owner was on his feet speaking into the microphone. But no one minded. Rather, the adults entered into the spirit of things and refrained from indulging in overmuch of the checking which children intent on having a good time find so irksome. The .new centre was declared officially open by the Mayor, Mr Cameron, who, in the course of a brief speech, congratulated the committee on the success which had attended its efforts to date and wished the new venture every success. Other speakers were the chairman of the committee, Mr E. W_. Wilson, and Mr W. A. Hudson, M.P.’ Mr Wilson said that the building had already been used by the Workers’ Education Association for discussion groups and eventually it was hoped that children, adolescents and adults would all be catered for in the centre. It was hoped that an infants’ play centre would be established almost at once and that Plunket rooms would be included in the building. As soon as funds permitted, it was proposed ' to build a hall on the vacant area next to the house at present being used as the community centre. Mr Hudson Said that the Government was interested in community centres and that he was certain some financial aid would be forthcoming. He wished the committee every success in its work. The Dunedin Ladies’ Brass Band was in attendance throughout the proceedings, which were held out of doors. Produce was sold at several stalls to raise funds for the reduction of the debt on the centre,' and the children paraded across- the stage in fancy dress to their own and the onlookers’ delight.