THE FREE KINDERGARTEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2309, 2 June 1898, Page 9

THE FREE KINDERGARTEN.

The annual report of the Dunedin Free Kindergarten Association reads a3 follows :—: —

Another year's work ia connection with the Free Kindergarten Association in Dunedin has drawn to a close— another year of bright, willing labours ' on the part of workers, teachers, and little ones alike As we look back upon its results there seems little to lecord ; but we must remember that our aim is high, and we must wait if we would see it fulfilled. The seeds, which are now but in uhe germ, must have time to develop, and only in the future lives of those •wlicm we seek to benefit can we expect to reapto see the end and aim of the system fulfilled. Encouragement in the shape of appreciation of what has been done still come 3 from the weary mother in the busy home and from the discriminating teachers of the State schools. It is gratifying, too, to find that the good result of the training is not confined to the children. From the students who have faithfully followed its course comes the testimony that it baa taught them more than the necessary knowledge of the prescribed subjects— that it has, in fact, given them a knowledge that they could not otherwise have attained. The number of schools is still limited to two, the hope of establishing and maintaining one at South Dunedin not having yet been fulfilled. The Yaralla School is still under the able superintendence of Miss Wieneke, who also continues to instruct the students of the association. In May, 3897, "there wera 82 children on the roll. The number now reaches 92, with an average daily attendance of 51. Fifty-nine children have left during the year, some owiDg to removal to other parts of the towD, and the remainder to pass into the State schools. This school is still held in the Albany street School Gymnasium Hall for the use of which the grateful thanks of the committee are due to the Albany street School Uomnrifctee. >t the Walker street School, over which Miss Dale continues to preside, the numbers are much imaller, the reason given being that the population of the neighbourhood is more (or less of a drifting character. At present there are but 31 eu the roll, with a daily overage of 23. Etehty

children have left during the year, some of these remaining only a short time.

In November treats were very kindly provided for the children by Mrs Raphael and Miss Reid, who invited them to their houses, and did all in then- power to give them some very happy hours, which they thoroughly enjoyed. Four members of the committee are appointed each month to visit the schoob, aud at more than one meeting the president has earnestly striven to impress upon them the necessity of visiting the mothers of the little ones in their homes. This, Mrs Reynolds maintains, is one of the surest methods of influence for good, and several of the regular visitors have willingly acceded t£ her request.

The following studeutts have been admitted during the year :— Misses C. Landed, L Fenwick, F. Bri^kell, J. Moodie, T. Fiudlay, and J. MacCarter, making a total of eight. Misses A. Dale and M. Anderson left in December, having gained the certificate of the association.

The chief event of the year from a financial point of view has" been the Kindergarten Recoid Reiga Festival, which was held in June during Jubilee week, and proved a great success, the gratifying sum of .£BO9 being raised. As stated in th.3 last annual report, the funds of the association were at a very low ebb, and the festival was then being promoted witb a view to raising them. All worked with a will, the ladies of the committee being ably assisted by Messrs James Allen, Joachim, Baron, Connor, Cohen, and many others. The largest measure of thanks is, however, we consider, due to our ever-energetic president, who took a very large share in the promotion aud carrying, out of the undertaking. The committee wish to record their appreciation of the^kindness of all who sent gifts and assisted in so irany ways to render their effort a success. Funds for this year being provided for by this means no subscripjiigns have .been a&ked for, but those voluntarily forwarded to the treasurer have been thankfully accepted.

Attention is drawn to the fact tbat a movement is on foot in Uaristchurch to establish there a free kindergarten. Those who are promoting it have the best wishes of this association for the inauguration and success of their scheme.

We may with coufidence, we think, assure ourselves that our report for the week in not faltogetber a barren one, and that we may look hopefully forward to the time when there will be not only two or three kindergarten schools iv Dunedin, but when there will be one in connection with every State school ia every town of the colony.