WITH THE KIDDIES

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 4 June 1923, Page 8

WITH THE KIDDIES

PLEASANT HALF-HOUR AT LIBRARY.

Following the establishment of a Juvenile Department, at tlie Timaru Public Library, the first of a series ot haif-liour talks to children was givei in the Library on Saturday morning. There were about thirty boys and girls present, and there would have been, more but for the fact that.some.failed in the virtue of punctuality* and. had or necessity to be shut out, as it was obviously impossible to allow late-comers to interrupt the thread of the enthralling story which was told. Squatting, Maori fashion, on the floor around the fire place in the Juvenile Library, the boys and girls listened, wide-eyed and of them open-mouthed to what Mr F. Ivey, (tutor at Holme Station, Pareora), had to tell them; and the speaker, who “said his lines” in a happy way, seemed to derive as much enjoyment as the children from the “talk.” The half-hour 'was divided into two parts, the first quarter of an hour being devoted to the recital of some solid, yet very interesting facts taken from Hendrick Van Loon’s “Story of Mankind.” Mr Ivey related in fascinating style, facts concerning our earliest ancestors, and the days when prehistoric man began to make things for himself. The second half of the address was devoted to the telling of a thrilling little story with plenty of fun and exciting episode in it, the narrative being given a realistic touch through the lecturer acting, as well as speaking the parts of the hero and the villain. At the close of the address the children showed their appreciation by applauding heartily.

It is intended to give one of these half-hour stories every second Saturday morning; and it is hoped that at the next one children from the Orphanages will be included among those present.