The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1895-05-08

Meetings of the Woman's Board
of Foreign Missions are events TO
which the. ladies of Honolulu al
ways look forward with a great deal
of pleasure, dealing as they do with
questions looking toward helping
the unenlightened and needy. Yes
terday's meeting was no exception
so far as interest was concerned.
Some fifty ladies attended.
Miss Mary Green spoke of her
trip to Hilo visits made to church
es along Olaa road temperance
talks and other matters Of interest.
A committee was appointed to
arrange the annual Woman's Board
tea party for the Hawaiian Evan
gelical Association, to take place
during first week in June. Native
ministers from the other islands
will be present at that time.
1t was found that $50 was
needed for the years appropria-
tions. The contribution amounted
to $85, one lady giving $50.
A lady from the States, who has
had considerable experience in
work among the neglected and
tempted classes, spoke at length on
the subject. She reviewed scenes
and incidents in many cities life
in dilapidated tenements inhuman
landlords, oto. Her remarks were
listened to with much interest, that
portion referring to labor in the
slums being particularly entertain
ing. This charming lady is en-
thusiastic over the grand work be-
ing done in the States toward caring
for the lower classes.
The appended annual report of
the Financial Secretary Of the
Honolulu Free kindergarten was
presented and read:
In the field of kindergarten work
the past year has been one of rare
privilege and rich experience. IL it
has been a successful one, we believe
that it is in large measure due TO the
fact that we have built on other mems
foundations. 1t but remained for US
to take up the work previously started
and find means for its enlargement.
The four kindergartens already in
operation when we took up this work
as an organized branch Of the Woman's
Board, reopened under our charge
Sept. 10th Of last year, with 33
children in the Chinese department,
where there are at present SO in at
tendance, and 50 have been enrolled
during the year. The Portuguese de-
partment opened Sept. Sd with 32,
they now have SO, with 6i names al
together on the list.
The Hawaiian department, with IL
the first day, has 40 at present, and 60
have been enrolled. The japanese
began with 81, now have 2S, have had
a total of 40 during the year. A new
was opened in September
for the children of any nationality
other than those already provided for.
Twenty children came in the first day,
and the first week closed with 50, The
rapidly increased until the
at the close of the spring term, and 81
have been under instruc-
ton since this kindergarten opened.
Our quarters at Emma hall, where
three of the five kindergartens are 10
Gated, seemed ample at the beginning
of the year, but their borders soon
proved too limited and admittance had
to be denied TO many children, not
only on account of lack of accommoda-
tions, however, but of teaching force
as well. This is notably the case in
the Portuguese department on Miller
street.
In taking up this free kindergarten
work in an organized way with an es-
pecial aim to its present and future en-
largement, in Honolulu and elsewhere,
our first effort was in direction OF Sc
curing the means necessary to this
end. The circular letter which was
issued and largely distributed last
year, called attention to the need OF
larger work here and asked that all
who were interested would lend a
helping hand toward its accomplish
ment; the response was prompt, and
many pledges were given Immediately
which have been well fulfilled. The
need is a universal one and touches
every home in the land, and we felt
that a personal canvass Of the city
would call out an interest in il that
could not be obtained in any other
way. This work has only been parti-
ally done owing to many personal
limitations of time and strength and
other interests, but we hope to con-
tinue and complete il during the COM
ing year, and believe that we shall
nave many responses in the future as
we have had I'm the mast from fbnea