KEEP FIT CAMPAIGN

Evening Star, Issue 22630, 23 April 1937, Page 12

KEEP FIT CAMPAIGN

The importance of calisthenics, in these days of mechanisation and added leisure, on the moral and physical standard of oUr youth was stressed at a representative gathering at Oamaru last night, when it was unanimously decided to endeavour to promote interest and enthusiasm in physical culture, The meeting was convened by the North Otago Amateur Athletic Association, and the chair was taken by the mayor (Mr M. P. E. Cooney). Emphasising the fact that it was vitally necessary in the interest of the people of the Dominion as a whole to take a more active part in physical education, Air R. E. Dimick (president of the North Otago Amateur Athletic Association) stated - that the desire for physical activity was becoming increasingly popular, but to foster the movement on a sound basis required the utmost co-operation of all interested. “ Alany of our young people—and the not so young—-would welcome the opportunity of attending keep-fit schools or clubs for physical exercises and recreations; but those same people would think very differently about carrying out the same activities of their own volition, in their own homes,” said Mr Dimick. He pointed out that already many who were engaged actively in winter games had expressed pleasure at the formation of this club, and _ welcomed. the opportunity of attaining a greater degree of fitness for their various sports. The association, however, desired specifically to provide physical activity for those not already engaged in some form of recreation, and many in this category had also expressed their satisfaction with the movement. “The association does not for one moment presume possession of sufficient knowledge of the Government’s scheme of physical education in its entirely to attempt to launch the movement of a comprehensive programme,” _ Air Dimick said Rather the association aimed, with purely altruistic motives, at providing suitable opportunities of recreation and activity for those who had not already identified, or no longer identified themselves with any other movement. To-day our people enjoyed more leisure time than formerly, and it naturally followed that a wide range of interests should be made available. He urged all employers of labour and people in executive positions to foster the movement.

Miss J. B. .Wilson (principal of the Waitaki Girls’ High School), in supporting the scheme, said that if anything could be done to help the children who had received only a short secondary education—those who had left school at a comparatively early age—then it should be done immediately. “ These are the ones we should try to assist, so that their future Jives might be modelled on a better and more interesting plane,” said the speaker. At the Girls’ School, said Miss Wilson, the boarders were in the care of a qualified English-trained mistress, who was giving good direction in regard to the health outlook, which would ultimately be of inestimable benefit to the girls. “ Quite a high proportion of young people just from school need to be mothered and assisted, and if we can render this help by the formation of a physical culture club, then I think we should give the proposal our whole-hearted support,” concluded Miss Wilson.

Dr R. S. Orbell complimented Mr Dimick on his efforts in fostering the proposal, which he thought an ideal one. There were persons on the street who were doing nothing for themselves, but if it were possible to induce them to adopt physical activities so that they might become physically fit and all-round better citizens, then the movement was well worth while. “It is a distressing feature of our towns and cities that there are not more amenities for indulging in enjoyable forms of exercise,” said Dr Lennox Douglas. He contended that the only places where physical recreation was obtainable were the sports clubs, and these were sadly few. People had lost the desire • and appreciation of keeping fit. “If by this proposal we can bring the people to a realisation of the necessity for keeping fit, then we should give every encouragement in fostering the movement.” Other speakers also stressed the importance of physical activity, and it was pointed out by Miss Wilson that the appurtenances at the school gymnasium would be available if needed. Mr Dimick stated that the Athletic Association had every, intention of following up the suggestoin. The first practice would be held in the Drill Hall next Monday night at 7 o’clock. The need for providing for all forms of sport was emphasised by various speakers, but it was agreed that calisthenics would form the basis of the On the motion of Dr L. Douglas, it was decided to request the North Otago Amateur Athletic Association to form a committee, with power to add, in order to inaugurate the “ keep fit ” movement. Votes of thanks were passed to Mr Dimick for the interest he had shown in fostering the movement, and to the mayor for presiding.

PERSONAL Mr A. Sievwright, who recently retired from the secretaryship of the Oamaru Hospital , and Charitable Aid Board, will leave to-day for .Nelson, where he intends taking up residence. Queen’s Hotel guests. Mr M'Causland (Christchurch); Mr and Mrs E. A. Wright (Dunsandel); Mr and Mrs L. E. Barrett, Mrs M. Aitken, Mr W. Garside, Mr E. H. Ferguson (Dunedin); Mr Trevor Lane (Wellington): Mr Butel, Mr L. Butel, Miss Butel (Mataura). _ New Club Hotel guests.—Mr C. C. Grundy, Mr J. R. Stoneman. Mr and Mrs L. Gasson (Christchurch); Mr J. C. Paul, Mr R. Carroll, Mr A. Davidson, Mr R. F. Brough, Mr S. Muirhead (Dunedin); Mr and Mrs A. Scott, Mr A. Pearson (Cromwell); Mr and Mrs R. M'Rae (Hawke’s Bay); Mr H. Parnell (Auckland); Mr and Mrs C. Donald (Ranfurly); Mms W. Shiels, Mr T. Shiels (Invercargill); Mr A. Grant (Wellington); Mr and Mrs R. Herbert (Bluff). Mr Trevor Lane (Wellington) was in Oamaru on Wednesday visiting Mr W. E. Hammill.