PHYSICAL WELFARE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 55, 28 August 1939, Page 5

PHYSICAL WELFARE

PROVISION OF FACILITIES ATTITUDE OF GOVERNMENT The progress of the Government's plans for physical welfare and recreation were explained to a meet, ing in the Whakatane Borough Cham bers on Friday morning by Mr C. R. Bncli, Government Physical Welfare Officer, who sketched the types of activities favoured by the Government. He was questioned on the subject of finance, as it was thought that if the present queen carnival did not raise the full sum sought it might be possible to obtain the balance as a grant. Mr Bach said that the making of grants had not yet been decided on. A loan could be raised through the borough council, or a permit given for an art union. The department, said Mr Bach, suggested that public feeling should be aroused concerning the need for community centres containing club rooms, that federations of sports bodies be organised, cultural activities promoted social recreative games fostered and "group travel'' schemes arranged, RECREATION WEEK. Committees should not plunge in and organise big schemes, but they should encourage adequate organisations already in existence, said Mr Bach. It was proposed to hold a national Recreation Week from September 29 to October 7 ? this period being towards the end of the winter sports season. There could be indoor and outdoor sports, recreational hctivities and musical and dramatic and hobby shows. There would be publicity by press, radio and film In contrast lo Fitness Week the aim of this week's activities would be largely cultural.

There had been criticism that the department had done nothing but organise a Fitness Week, said Mr BacV but this was incorrect as a tremendous amount of advisory and organisation work had been done. Dealing with the question of finances he said it was bound up in a survey of facilities throughout the Dominion. On completion of this very big job the policy of the Gov. eminent would be announced after consideration of the findings of the survey. GYMNASIUM CLUB. Mr H. E. Cucksev raised the question of the queen, ,carnival which was now in progress in Whakatane. A gymnasium club had been formed to promote boxing and per cent of the money it raised would go towards the carnival. The balance would be used to form a gymnasium club, ancf he asked whether they would get assistance from the Government.

Mr Bach sa : d that a scheme of this sort might he worked through the borough council who would handle any loan money _ but f Ms would mean that a committee of the council would have to control the gymnasium. There would be the great advantage of continuity. The Mayor said that the question of the borough council raising a loan could not be considered. A loai would have to be raised for electrical purposes, and a drainage loan would be necessary before long, while a loan for an aerodrome was hanging in the air. The borough could not be responsible for a further loan At present the sports bodies were making a genuine effort to help themselves by running a queen carnival which looked like being successful, and they had hoped to get a grant to make up the sum needed for domain improvements. USE OF SHOW BUILDINGS. The question of the use of the show buildings for recreational purposes was raised by Mr A. J. Cann_ ing who said that the Winter Show Association was likely to amalgamate with the Agricultural and Pastoral Society and move its building to the Domain. This might be used for a gymnasium, badminton courts, etc.

Mr Bach said that Hamilton was do'nsE the same thing on a big scale. He thought it an excellent idea. The fact that an amendment in law r might be necessary to ena local body to combine with innther body and erect buildings on '"Vowrt land was mentioned by Mr Mr Bach asked for a note covering the point raised by Mr founders so that he could take the up with his department. r r Bnoh was sure that it would nossiblft to arrange for an art ' ,r "nn in connection with the queen He thought there was ,-ance of a permit if the was made through his 1