IS ATHLETICISM OVERDONE?

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12933, 12 October 1907, Page 12

IS ATHLETICISM OVERDONE?

DISCUSSION BY COLLEGE GOVERNORS. (SPECIAL TO "THE PBESS.") WELLINGTON October 11. In compliance with a recent request by the Board of Governors, Mr J. P. Firth, Principal of Wellington College, sent into the Board at ite meeting to-day a report concerning athletics in the College. After detailing the amount of athleticism that was indulged in, Mr Firth's report referred to the case of bad language on the playing field, with which the Epuni team was concerned in a match against the College. "I am strongly of opinion," wrote Jlr Firth, "that it would be * great mistake—a very great mistake—to stop all outside matches, except those with other secondary schools. The fact that an isolated case of misconduct on the part of a team engaged has taken place, does not make it desirable that all outside matches should be given up." Mr Brandon, who moved the original motion, said it seemed to him that Mr Firth had not apprehended what was in the speaker's mind, and the minds of the trustees. The had language incident was only a passing phase, upon which the main question wae introduced. Mr Brandon had no doubt that the attention drawn to the incident would have a lasting effect, and that the controlling body would be able to exercise a firm and beneficial supervision. The main matter, however, was the question whether athletics were not being too much pureued to the detriment of the education for which secondary schools primarily existed. On hia suggestion, a committee was appointed io confer with Mr Firth and to report to a subsequent meeting.