OFFICIAL OPENING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 113, 16 May 1942, Page 4

OFFICIAL OPENING

CHILDREN’S GARDEN CIRCLE HALL , RECORD OF AC HIEV EMENT I A notable event in the history of I the Children's Garden Circle tool; | place yesterday afternoon when the j new tmadquarters were officially I opened by lhe donor of the land and i property. Mr. Hope Gibbons. The I : neadquar;ers will in future be known as the Jessie Hope Gibbons Hall in I ; memory of the late Mrs. Hope Gib-j I bons. who was an ardent supporter of 'the Children’s Garden Circle. i Arnone those present were the I Mayor. Hon. W. J. Rogers, M.L.C. Ihe 1 deputy-Mayor, Mr. j. J. Scott,’and! Mrs. Scott, the town clerk. Mr. C. R. i White, and Mrs. White, Mr. A. It. i Donaldson, president of the Children's j Garden Circle. Mr. Heclor Christie, a former president of the movement. ( Nirs. Gower, of Wellington, a sister’ oi Mr. Flope Gibbons, city councillors, i and Pastor G. Fretwell, representing ' the Wanganui Ministers’ Association, j A letter apologising for non-attend-ance was received from Mr. H. B • Gibbons. Wellington, a son of Mil I Hope Gibbons, who is president of tne Royal New Zealand Institute of Horti- j culture. He wished the Garden Circle; every success and congratula’ed mem-; hers and officers on the excellent progress made. He congratulated the | I donor of the hall and said lhe work of : educating children in the joys and pleasures of hor.iculture was a worthI while endeavour and a pastime in ' which many friendships were made. | A letter was also received from j.Mr. E. F. Hemingway, chairman of the Wanganui Education Board, in 'which he wished lhe Garden Circle i evcr\ success for the future. I Mr. Donaldson welcomed the visitors and said the attendance was veiy ! gratifying. He expressed pleasure at | | the presence of both Mr. Hope Gib- | bons and the Mayor. It was through j Ihe generous gesture of Mr. Gibboi:that the Children’s Garden Circle had thmr own land and building. In its nine years of existence the Garden Circle had a record of achievement of which to be proud. Its membership totalled 1500 and it. was going from ' strength to strength, and deserved the support of the community. Mr. Donaldson acknowledged the support given by Mr. Gibbons and members of his family. The Mayor said he was pleased to be associated with the opening ceremony ami extolled the great support given to the movement by Mr. Hope Gibbons. The value of the movement in inculcating a love of the beauties of nature in the young people was stressed by Mr. Hector Christie, the first president of the Children's Garden Circle. The circle. h° said, had been fortunate in having a generous supporter in Mr. Gibbons. He was a public-snirited citizen who had supported the movement from the oeginning. and the late Mrs. Gibbons* had been associated in that interest. He wished the Garden Circle every success. Mr. Gibbons thanked the various sneakers for their tributes. He <aid those who had worked zealously in nutting the ground in order and all who had assisted the movement weie worthy of mention. He made special ■ men'ion nf the work accnmnlish n ri by Mr. P. J. Cox and Mr. H. Granvilie. With others thev witnessed the sue- ■ '■•ess of their labours that day. He had much pleasure in declaring the ' hall opened. ! i Mr. Cox thanked Mr. Gibbons for ( his remarks and acknowledged the assistance given him bv Mr. Granville.] Mr. Weber Todman Mrs. M. K. Laird, i and others. had been ru- • sponsibl® for the success that had been achieved. Mrs. Gower expressed her apprecia- j

tion of what the Children's Garden Circle was accomplishing in Wanganui and said she will continue to watch its progress with interest. Following the ceremony, afternoon tea was served and a demonstration was given by members of the circle.