JOHNSON “QUADS”

Timaru Herald, Volume CL, Issue 22064, 10 September 1941, Page 3

JOHNSON “QUADS”

New Home In Timaru

First Day At School

Kathleen, Mary, Vera and Brucefour fine children who are known throughout the Dominion and even much farther afield as the Johnson quadruplets, now have their home in Timaru. They were born in Dunedin on March 6, 1935, and since that date the citizens of Dunedin have taken a keen interest in their progress and welfare.

Now they have a new home—at least they have a temporary home, for the parents, Mr and Mrs K. Johnson, have not yet solved the problem of finding a suitable house for themselves and their seven children; there are two girls older than the “quads" and one younger child. A happier group it would be difficult to find. A representative of “The Tlmaru Herald" yesterday met the family just after the children had returned from school. Actually it was the first day on which they had made the acquaintance of the infant department of the South. School, and they were delighted with their new schoolmates. Mary and Bruce informed the reporter to that effect, and judging bit their demeanour the school had held no terrors for them. Nor did the camera when they had their photographs taken, because they have had a good many taken in their short careers As might have been expected, the reporter had some difficulty in distinguishing the children, but he felt much relieved when Mrs Johnson had to think twice when asked which was which.

From the time they were bom, the “quads” have been a Centre of Interest, and the family possess a most interesting visitors’ book, which contains more than 3000 signatures of persons all oyer the world. They also have a well-filled scrap book of photographs and newspaper cuttings concerning the activities of twins, triplets, quadruplets and quintuplets in various parts of the world. One of particular interest concerned a family of eight, four sets of twins, who figured at a convention of the National Twin Association in Indiana. The point of interest is that the Johnson “quads” have received an invitation from the association to attend the annual convention eve r v year since they were bom, and last year they were represented in Indiana by Miss Mildred Baker and Mr Clarence Baker, who have taken a keen interest in them.

The "quads” will no doubt be warmly welcomed bv the public of Timaru. FAIRLIE HARD FROST The weather cleared on Monday night, and yesterday morning 19 degrees of frost was recorded in the township. Frosts of this severity are likely to continue owing to the heavy coating of snow on the hills, and gardeners have small prospect of early vegetables. Spring growth is much behind time. home guard The weekly parade of the Home Guard was well attended on Monday night, when musketry instruction was given by Company Commander J. J. Sullivan. The ambulance section carried on with instruction in first aid. The attendance at this class has Improved considerably of late.