KINDERGARTEN ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16154, 7 March 1918, Page 2

KINDERGARTEN ASSOCIATION.

AN> r pAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of the Christchurch Creche and Kindergarten Association was held in the Y.M.C.A. lecture hall- last night. The Mayor (Mr H. was in the chair aud there was a goad attendance. Mr Holland expressed his pleasure in presiding at the meeting. The training of the young was a matter of supremo moment, as nothing better could be done fo r a child than to give it a good start in life. The value of tho kindergarten was evident from the iact that as kin-dergarten-trained children later passed through the primary and secondary schools, they never had to unlearn tho lessons of their earliest youth in the nuinner in which many of the men and women of the present dav had had to unlearn many of their lessons. The Kindergarten Association was worthy of all ,the support_ the Christchurch citizens could give it. The State could not do tho work the ladies of the Association were doing, as it could not supplv that touch of motherliness and homeliness that the -women could. That, however, did not relieve the State of its duty to the kindergarten associations. "Tho annual report stated that the year 1917 had again shown a record oi : good work in the thre© free kindergartens —St. Albans, Phillipstown, and Sydenham. Althdugh there was a strong demand in at least two districts lot kindergartens, the Association so far had not seen its way to meet the want-, a fact which was- much regretted. Owing to the lack of students at the beginning of 1917. it was thought advisable to close Phillipstown Kindergarten •School during the afternoon. Finding this arrangement caused a very small falling off in the average attendance, and at the request of Miss Hull, afternoon school at Sunbeam was also discontinued. An extra 10s per head capitation which had been added was much appreciated. The Association had b?en very busy in the year. On December 13th, 191X5, Kindergarten Day was held in the Art Gallery, when the programme was interesting and instructive, and the money raised totalled £13."). A sale of work and produce in 1917 had realised £73. and on September 13th. 1917, "Daffodil Day," had realised £303.

The report of tho principal of tho training classes stated that five students had completed the course of study for the year. The practical work of students in kindergarten had been a valuable part of their training, for there they came into direct contact with child life whilst- •watching its development. Tho work throughout the year had been progressive, and the students interested and enthusiastic.

The report of the Sunbeam Kindergarten showed that, during the year the roll attendance had not been up to tho usual standard. During the winter session interesting lectures wero given by Dr. Eleanor Baker to the mothers and their friends. The committee had raised £85 for the school, of which amount the mothers contributed £2o 12s Bd.

Phillipstown reported that tho year started with 61 on tho roll, but ended, tvitli 49 pupils. The general work of the school had been very satisfactory. Receipts for the year were £55 12s lOd and expenses £52 3s Gd. Sydenham's report showed a roll of 69 at the beginning of the year and 53 at the end. The year had been a healthy, happv one in tho kindergarten.Receipts for the year were £103 2s 3Jd, and expenses £o4 los. Tho financial statement showed a balance of income over expenditure of £393 17s.

On the motion of Mrs Williams, ifc was decided that Rule 11 be' ejianged, and that the annual mooting in future be held in February or March.

The election of officers resulted as follows: —President, Mrs T. E. Taylor; vice-presidents, Mesdames G. Rhodes,. Wigram, Chilton, Nicholls._ ami Miss Tabart; lion, secretary, Miss Cannou; executive council, Mesdames Asohman, Ensorn, Langford, Kellewav, "\Vilson, fllisses Tnkpen and Paterson; district representatives, Mrs Chilton and Miss Tabart (St. Albans), Mesdames Wilson and Glen (Phillipstown), Mesdames Millar and Peppier (Sydenham): advisory Board. Messrs J. Caughley, P. Hallenstein, T. J. Mcßride, T. S. Foster, and Aschman; hon. solicitors, Messrs Cuningliam aud Taylor and Mr C. E. Salter; agent, Mrs Steele. Mrs Taylor then presented diplomas to the following students: —Miss G. Jones (three distinctions), J. Keir (two distinctions), G. Rutherford and 11. Perrv (one distinction eich). Heni Scott, D. Willis, F. Collenson, and H. Holland.

Mr J. H. Howell, director of . the Technical School, delivered ail interesting address on the ''State and the Kindergarten."