"KEEP BATTLE-FIT"

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 255, 22 July 1920, Page 6

"KEEP BATTLE-FIT"

ADVICE OF GENERAL BIRDWOOD PHYSICAL TRAINING DEMONSTRA. TION AT TRENTHAM,

One of the matters of immediate import to tho inhabitants of the Dominion is the question of improving the physique of the rising generation so that the general standard of fitness of the race may he raised, and tho future defenders of tho country rendered sufficiently strong and healthy to withstand the rigours of campaigning if ever they should again he called upon to lend their services to tho Umpire. In the new syllabus of senior cadet training more attention will bo paid to physical culture than has been the practice in the past, and, by approved exercises, the youths will spend more of their time in learning how to keep themselves fit. rather than in receiving instruction in the varied technicalities of military movements. To this end the officers of the New Zealand Staff Corps and tho n.c.o.'s of tho Permanent Staff, in whose hands will rest the task of, putting tho new principles into execution, have been undergoing courses of instruction at tho army gymnasium connected with General Headquarters School, Trontham, and yesterday afternoon thoy gave a demonstration of physical and recreational training. An Excellent Display, Tho demonstration embodied various forms of exercises and games, and the magnificence of tho display bore a striking tribute to the excellent tuition of Captain A. W. Brocks, M.C., Chief Instructor in Physical Training. Amongst those who witnessed tho demonstration wore Genoral Sir William Birdwood, Major-General Sir Edward G'haytor (General Officer Commanding Now Zealand Military Forces), Lieutenant-Colonels J. L. Sleeinnn (Director of Military Training), R. 33. Smyth, G. E. Andrews, and H. 13. Avery, of the Headquarters Staff, and Professor J. S. Tennont (principal of the Teachers' Training College). A number of patients and nurses from the Trentham Military Hospital were also in attendance. Upon arrival at tho gymnasium, General Birdwood was welcomed by Lieutenant-Colonel C\ G. Powles (Commandant of the G.'H.Q. School). •

'IJie demonstration opened with a game of "volley ball," which appeared to be 11 somewhat primitive form of tennis, but in which the large, light ball employed has to be kept in play by means of the hands. Then followed "medicine ball," in which a Heavy ball is heaved about between opposing teams, and which calls for a maximum display of muscle-power. Both games provide amplo scop.> for the cultivation of agility. After this a model lesson in Iwxing was staged, concluding with a dozen or so simultaneous one-minuto bouts, which aroused the enthusiasm of the spectators. A typical lesson in physical training in the way of massed i exercise, with an introduction march to musical accompaniment, was the next I item and then eanje exercises on the parallel bars, and, what was termed a "selection of brain stimulating gomes as introduced into a physical training lesson." It was explained that these games are sandwiched in here and tliero amongst Hie ordinary physical training exercises, their objcct being to make the body respond quickly to the impulses of the brain. Tlwy took the form of various rapid movements executed on the command of the instructor, and included numerous running events in which the individuals participating had to make good use of their legs and arms, as well as their brains. The demonstration concluded with some fine vaulting horso exercises, and a game of basket-ball. The latter was the final gam® for the school chnmpionship, the respective teams being representative of the officers and n.c.o.'s. After a brief, but exciting contest, the referee (Captain Brocks) declared a draw, each side having scored two goals.

General Birdwood's Views. When the demonstration had finished, General Birdwood spoke a few words on the importance of physics! training. "I am 6iire we all congratulate vou very much, Captain Brocks, upon "the work we have seen to-day," he said. "It is such a refreshing thin? to find you can make this work so interesting and so entertaining. I only wish every civilian in Wellington had come out to see this show to-day. lam sure that if tliev had seen tfils display to-day those men who are on tho land, or who are engaged in other work, would want to leave their jobs and join the Army. . . . I am sure that tho work you are doing in this gymnasium is just what is reauircd because it see.uis io me that, now ihe wnr is over, there aro two things we should,' keep in front of us: One is comradeship, and tho other is battlefitness. Let us who have been real comrades in war, remain real comrades in peace. What we want the country to realise "is that we want to be battle-fit. In the war we had to keep our bodies really fit to fi.slit the enemy, and I hope that in tho time of peace the whole population of this Dominion will keep their minds alert and their bodies physically fit, so that they will be able to carry oil tho great work that has been done in tho country."

Addressing the wounded men from the Trentham Hospital, General Birdwood snid ho hoi>ed they would soon be nj)le to take their part in physical exercises a(*ain. He was sorry that they had been in hospital eo long;, and it ivns to be hoped that they would soon be well Again. "To you all, my old comrades, I extend my best wishes for your welfare in the future," he concluded. '

Three hearty cheers were given for General Birdwood ns ho jeft the gymnasium.