FITNESS WEEK

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 104, 26 January 1939, Page 12

FITNESS WEEK

Outline Of Wellington Programme

START WITH MASSED

MARCH

Physical Fitness Week in Wellington will be inaugurated with a mass demonstration at the Basin Reserve on the morning of February 18. The Minister of internal Affairs, Mr. Parry, who is chairman of the Council of Physical Welfare and Recreation, a lid the mayor of Wellington, Mr. Hislop,- will be present. The ceremony of the taking of the oath of allegiance to the ideal of physical lit uess will be preceded by the arrival of liarrwrs from Eastbourne, who will be heralded into the ground by bands, and by the setting alight of pylons. . The draft programme for the week was submitted to a meeting of the organizing committee yesterday. The chairman, Mr. M. F. Luckie, emphasized that the week was the starting point in a nation-wide drive to encourage physical training and culture. The co-operation of all sections of the community was sought, particularly commercial houses, which were asked to contribute their share, by suitably decorating their establishments, making special window displays and providing floats for the procession. Massed Displays. <

An outline of the programme arranged to date was given by the honorary organizer, Mr. V. C. jJones. On Saturday, February 18, there would be a massed march through a central route to the Basin Reserve, where displays would be given of massed drill and acrobatics. The display would ■start about 10.30 a.m. and conclude shortly after midday, as it was not intended to disrupt organized sport set down for the afternoon. In the evening at the Town Hall it was proposed to stage the folk dances and games .of many countries, as well as other Varieties of entertainment.

The co-operation of the churches had been sought for Sunday, February 19. said Mr. Jones. They had been asked to devote at least one service to the ideal of physical fitness as a means of building up a clean-living nation. It was hoped to promote a mother and daughter service and a father and son service. In the afternoon there would be a yachting display at Day's Bay. At night it was hoped to screen pictures dealing with physical education. On Monday gymnastic displays would be held during the lunch hour. In the afternoon it was hoped to arrange for one of the tea, rooms to sponsor an apparel parade with the object of emphasizing the value of fitness as an aid to beauty. At night the public services would hold a swimming tournament in the Thorndon Baths.

Tuesday’s programme included an address at the Rotary Club luncheon, baseball in the evening, demonstrations by the Y.W.C.A. girls, and the Wellington Swimming Centre’s carnival at night.

Ou Wednesday afternoon the, Public Services would conduct an athletic tournamentj One of the most spectacular events of the week had been set down for Wednesday night, when “Night in Venice” would be given at Oriental Bay. The only fixture arranged for Thursday, February 23, was an address at the luncheon of the Optimists’ Club, but it was proposed to fill in the afternoon and night with suitable events. On Friday there would be physical displays in the luncheon hour and demonstrations at night by mobile military units. On Saturday, February 25, the Peck Shield harbour swim would be held in the morning. In the afternoon the Wellington Athletic Centre would hold its meeting. At night a carnival would be held at the Basin Reserve. The week would officially close on Sunday, February 26, with demonstrations by surf life-saving clubs. Schools to Co-operate. Mr. W. I. Deavoll reported that the schools would co-operate wholeheartedly, but their activities would largely be confined to the school grounds. A meeting was' to be held with headmasters next week, when it was hoped to evolve a scheme which could be put into operation throughout the year and pave the way for physical fitness ideals for all time. Mr. J. Lewis explained that “Night in Venice” would afford all the sportirig bodies an opportunity to join in a most spectacular pageant. A women’s committee, with Mrs. MeInnes as convener,, was set up. It was agreed to hold the next meeting on Wednesday, February 1. The chairman stressed that the object of the week was not' just a stunt but something that would become of lasting value to the community.