SUNBEAM KINDERGARTEN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17036, 9 May 1923, Page 4

SUNBEAM KINDERGARTEN.

The inclement weather conditions on Saturday alter noon seemed to increase the air of cosy homeliness and good fellowship existing amongst the large gathering of sympathisers who assent - bled at the Sunbeam Kindergarten to assist at the opening ceremony oi the long dreamed or extension to the school building. Mrs J. R. Evans, convener cl the Sunbeam Committee, outlined the steps taken by which the recent ex tension had been successfully financed. Jn the absence through indisposition of Mrs Peppier, president"of the assoeia lion. Mrs Taylor interestingly addressed. the gathering, outlining the history u. : the Sunbeam Kindergarten. She paid a tribute to the members of the original committee Mrs Bendeley. who had worked hard, and whose son had given invaluable assistance; Mrs Sme!lie and Alias Schofield: Mrs ('hilion and Mrs Clifton Bingham; Mrs W. H. Not ton and Miss T'abart- The members of the present committee, Airs Taylor said, tinder Airs J. R. Evans and Mrs H Batchelor, were worthy successors to the original members, and were to be congratulated on the great success of their work. Miss Hull, director of the free kindergartens, after appreciatively and gratefully acknowledging Mrs Evans’s work, spoke delightfully of the work oi kindergartens, which, she said, wore not schools, but beautiful gardens i’i which little ones bloomed. Dr Thacker congratulated the committee mi the splendid extension to the school, which had cost £320. and promised a liberal donation of coal and firewood for the winter. Mrs Thacker, who was pro sented with a beautiful bouquet of violets. then formally declared the build ing open. There was a short programme by the little ones, which everyone enjoyed, and afternoon tea was served The girls that waited on the guests wove some of I:lie original pupils of the Sunbeam Kindergarten. Misses Evelina Till. Nancy Iris Hutton. Freda Elmes and Gertie Hillsden. Before thegathering dispersed. Mrs Evans, on behalf of the Sunbeam Committee, presented a Loewe pipe to Mr E. E. West, architect, of the firm of Messrs Collin-* and Harman. Mr West had designed the school extension free of charge, and his work in connection with the build ing was invaluable. On behalf of the tiny- pupils. Mr West- was presented with a scroll of thanks bearing the sig nature of each child attending the kindergarten and the names of past pupils whose parents had been instrumental ir. making it possible to erect- the new building. During the afternoon Mr Wilson, secretary of the St Albans Burgesses’ Association. presented Mrs Evans with a cheque for £l7 10s 3d proceeds from a concert organised by the burgesses for the benefit of the Sunbeam Kindergarten. Airs Evans asked Air Wilson to convey to his assn ciation her committee's most sincere thanks. A few remarks by Alisa Tabariwho thanked Dr and AG’s Thacker fo*attending, and the singing of the Na tional Anthem by the little ones concluded a very happy afternoon.