MORE PLAYING GROUNDS NEEDED

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 192, 9 May 1924, Page 7

MORE PLAYING GROUNDS NEEDED

» A PLEA FOR THE BOYS. The great need for more playing grounds to keep boys out of mischief and out of the Courts was stressed by the Rev. Fielden Taylor, at the annual meeting of St. Peter’s Mission last evening. "Five years experience convinces us that the most delinquent boys are such because of their environment,” said the missioner. “Such clubs as the Boys’ Institute and our own, which cater to provide clean sport for the boy of the street, are all too small. The fact that there are not enough playing areas for all the boys only tends to assist juvenile crime. The boy who does not belong to a cricket or football club is at a loose end in liis leisure hours, and belongs to a club or a clique of his own which finds enjoyment of the wrong sort. During the year we have frequently appeared at Court on behalf of the boys, and have always received a courteous hearing from those in authority. We know that a very high percentage of lhe boys who appear before the Court afterwards make good, but in common with many other social workers we deplore not only the laxity but the indifference for the real welfare of the boy on the pirt of many of the parents. In this work (he police give real and sympathetic assistance; they are a body of men for whom we have the greatest respect.” In this connection, the Rev. Fielden Taylor paid a tribute to the Racing Club. It had been most generous in placing nil its grounds and buildings at the disposal of the mission. They were able to hold a camp, and that surely made for the uplifting of young manhood.