I.—2a

1903. NEW ZEALAND.

PUBLIC PETITIONS M TO Z COMMITTEE (REPORT OF, ON THE PETITION OF THOS. SCOTT AND 138 OTHERS, TOGETHER WITH THE PETITION AND MINUTES OF EVIDENCE).

Brought up on the 15th September, 1903, and ordered to be printed.

REPORT.

No. 123.—Thomas Scott and Others, of Dunedin. Petitioners pray that assistance may be granted the Dunedin Free Kindergarten Association by subsidy or by annual grant. I am directed to report that the Committee, having heard the evidence regarding the kindergarten work being done in Dunedin, are of opinion that it is of great value to the State, and would recommend to the favourable consideration of the Government the question of granting a subsidy to work of this kind throughout the colony ; and that the evidence of James Allen, Esq., and H. D. Bedford, Esq., together with a letter from Eev. Mr. Waddell be printed and added to this report. G. Fowlds, 15th September, 1903. Acting-Chairman.

PETITION.

To the Hon. the Speaker and Members of the House of Eepresentatives. We, the members of the executive of the Dunedin Free Kindergarten Association, together with the undersigned electors of the City of Dunedin, ask your honourable House to grant assistance to the association, either by a subsidy of pound for pound on all subscriptions to and donations received by the association or by way of an annual grant-in-aid, as in New South Wales. We approach your honourable House with confidence, and appeal for monetary support on the undermentioned grounds : — (1.) That the association have been in existence for a period of fourteen years, during which time they have successfully trained a number of young women, who are to-day teaching kindergarten principles in this city and in kindergarten departments attached to several of the public schools. (2.) That if this agency had not been in existence and in operation it would have fallen to the State, through the Education Department, to have established a truant school in Dunedin at a much greater cost than the subsidy now asked. (3.) That there is great need for the extension of free kindergartens to other localities in and around Dunedin; but the association, for want of funds, cannot plant additional schools where they are known to be urgently required. I—l. 2a.