HAPPY EVENINGS FOR CHILDREN.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 9017, 17 March 1908, Page 2

HAPPY EVENINGS FOR CHILDREN.

Therearo several associations in London which have been formed for the purpose of providing a_uso_eutj|j|for the poor children of the East E _■»<_ Loudou, but perhaps the most tmecessful of these is Che Children'- Happy Evenings Association of which the Pi'incess of Wales is president. This association provides games, gymnastics, stories, toys, aud all other beloved juvenile pastimes to the children of the East End of Loudon. There are 136 branches of the organisation iv London alone, and several others in contemplation. Iv other parts of Englaud there are affiliated branches, aud from New York, Hongkong, Hungary, and Canada come frequent enquiries ou how to establish kindred associations. The city school buildings aud lighting are furnished free by the city for the evenings, while the Association pays for caretakers' fees aud cleaning. Oue hundred aud fifty children gather at the same time for a happy evening, about ouce a week for the same children. They troop in two by two aud march into the cloak' room aud out again to the souud of jgjpsk march on the piano. Oue of the_Piies rinss a bell. The march stops The children Hue up rouud the walls and chose their occupations for the evening. One file marches off to the doll's room, some go to draw and paint, some to cut up paper figures and paste them into marvellous little toys, some go to sew or embroider, some join the story teller's group to listen to fairy tales, some have a quiet nook witli books or magaziues. some come out iuto the old-fashioned romp with several of the ladies and gentlemen who have come to supervise their recreations.

Indeed, says au exchange, so little do the East-euders of Londou know about play that they absolutely require to be taught iv the simple arts of childhood, which other litt'e ones of happier fortuue seem to acquire without thought or care. Each group of children is in charge of those who come to. help because they are fond of little~people aud really care that tkpse little folk should pass a pleasant .wo hours of diversion. The Association vow claims au enlistment of over thirteen hundred' friends of varying ages and classes, who gladly give up some of their leisure to assist the Association in its admirable work.