PUBLIC SCHOOLS AT PLAY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11751, 27 November 1903, Page 4

PUBLIC SCHOOLS AT PLAY.

If it ia trua that some forms of manly exercise are languishing among grown-up players, the same cannot bo said of schoolboy sports. Nearly 3CGO entries have been received for tho North Canterbury PublicSchools Athletio Meeting, which ia to bo held at Lancaster Park to-morrow, and of these 465 are for running events alone. This will bo the fourth sport* meeting held under the auspices of the Association. The controlling body, which ia affiliated to the New Zealand Amateur Athletio Association, was started on the lines of a similar organisation in Australia. The idea of the promoters was that a boy who takes a healthy interest in any branch of eport is less likely to err morally than ono to whom sport does not appeal. It was recognised that tho schools gave too little encouragement to physical training, and it was proposed by means of competitions to give outdoor sports a stimulus. The best expectations of the promoters ITuve been fulfilled. Tha North Canterbury Association, embracing at present thirty-three schools, i 3 without doubt the strongest in the colony. To show the scope of the Association, it» may be mentioned that competitors will assemble at Lancaster Park to-morrow from Amberley, Balcairn, Rangiora, Glentunnel, Ashburton, and intermediate stations, and from all the city and suburban schools. Most of the morning will be occupied with the boys' and girls' races, and the afternoon will be" devoted principally to spectacular displays. Tho Education Department has agreed to frank the cadets on the railway from Kaiapoi, Rangiora, Ashburton, Southbrook, and Hamprtoad, and there will be a parada of about 700 cadeta. Two battalions will march past as a brigade, and go through oilier movements, besides taking part in a display with about 600 girls belonging to the physical drill squads. In addition to holding these athletic meetings every year the Association controls the boys' football and cricket and the girls' hockey competitions. The work of management is, of course, of an arduous nature, entailing a great tax upon the executive committee of eight to whom it is entrusted. The President thin year in Mr J. C. Adams (late headmaster of the Normal School), and almost every member of the executive haa a colonial reputation in some branch of sport. The Secretary, Mr C. T. Aschman, haa held office since the formation of the Association, and it is a matter of regret that other duties will compel his resignation after this meeting. The Association is undoubtedly doing great good in bringing forward young athletes and encouraging boys of moderate ability. There i 3 a natural tendency to give too much attention to the training of priae teams, and so to lose in a great measure the universal benefits which the Association was designed to bring about. The executive is aware of this, and is taking steps to counteract the tendency, and to encourage 1 all-round physical efficiency in schools.