WANTED—A PHYSICAL CULTURE SOCIETY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2197, 28 September 1907, Page 2

WANTED—A PHYSICAL CULTURE SOCIETY.

Ono might bo pardoned for believing that Gisborne has already sufficient organisations of various kinds to minister to tho multifarious needs of its people, yet there are ample reasons to adduce in favor of a society for the promotion of physical development amongst all classes of tho community. Tho physical culture movement has made exceptional strides in all parts of tho world in recent years. The attention given to tho propecr development of tho body in the gymnasia of Germany has long been recognised, and tlio marvellous results attained by the comparatively ' diminutive Japanese through their devotion to this cult has beon oue of the wonders of rocent times.

In tlio British Empiro Eugen Sandow was tho first to placo tlio new movement on a proper footing. Prior to his establishment of a scientific system of development there wore, of course, any number of so-called “strong men” who by reason of their magnificent physique and a certain amount of trickery were able to accomplish feats that made the average person gape with astonishment. Sandow, like 1 others who have done a great deal lor the cause, of physical culture , made use of the “strong man” arts .to induce people to tako an interest in the legitimate work. Undor tho circumstances it was only natural that very many mistakes should have been made by those who took up physical culture whilo its principles were still imperfectly known. Young men who witnessed the superb physique of the man whoso reproduction in a plaster cast lias beon placed in tho British museum, and tlio consummate ease with which he lifted enormous weights burned with enthusiasm to emulate his achievements. Joining some Sandow class under an instructor possibly only a degree less ignorant than themselves they commenced a series of exercises with a view to developing the special muscles required for lifting. Soon they felt qualified to handle weights, and very frequently tho results wore disastrous, and for the remainder of their lives they suffered for this indiscretion. Nowadays we know better. The arts of the “strong'* man” havo been relegated to tho domain of the circus showman and the teacher of physical culture devotes himself to a scientific build--Jng up of the muscular system of his pupils. He adapts his methods of tuition to the needs of each pupil. Thus a sturdily built young man desiring an increased development of chest and muscles that ho may excel in some form of sport requiring tho possession of great staying power will, be given a fairly stiff course, vvjiilst ladies, children or persons weakly through ill-health aro treated in an entirely different manner. Ono chief foaturo that may bo said to be the ground work of tho system is a series of breathing exorcises and these are practised by all pupils, weak and strong alike. Tho results, provided the exercises are undertaken under tho supervision of an intelligent and painstaking instructor, aro invariably beneficial and in some casos remarkable effects havo been achieved. One of the best known exponents of thb' system has declared moro tliaii once that ho will euro any case of consumption which has not actually reached tho last stages and wo havo personal knowledge of several cases which havo been regarded as hopeless by the medical profession that havo been thoroughly cured by tho physioal culture treatment. In this respect it is worthy of note that many doctors aro now looking on the movement with favorable eyes, and under certain conditions do not hesitate to recommend it as the means of ensuring a return to good ■health. In other parts of the colony societies for the promotion of the physical culturo movement havo been formed with beneficial results to a largo section of tho community and there is every reason to believe that similar results would accrue were such an organisation brought into existence locallv.

Tho aim of physical culture—it cannot bo too strongly emphasised—is not to stimulate an abnormal growth of special muscles or to give a large inorease of oliesfc expansion, though both these results can ho obtained if desired. The object is to bring every muscle of tho body into proper condition so that it can take its part in carrying out the natural functions. Few people realise that, in the ordinary pursuits of life, they permit many important muscles to pass into almost entire disuse. Should anyone doubt it, lot him take violent exercise of any bind, and the

stiffness of certain muscles for soveral days alter will come as Nature's protest against his formor neglect. Similarly the muscles of the chest anil lungs are not fully utilised by tho average person, and the result materially conduces to chest and lung complaints. Tho proper care of tlio body is a duty that every individual owes to himself, to his friends, and to the community as a wholo, and it is in fostering this spirit that a Sooioty of Physical Culturo can accomplish excellent work.

The Cook County Council gives notice of tho closing of a bridgo on tho Kaiteratahi-To Karaka road.

The services to bo hold to-morrow in connection with St. Andrew’s Church aro advortisod in this issue.

Yesterday afternoon Mr and Mrs AValter Grace left on an overland trip to AY a iron, per motor car.

Lieut. Hamilton and squad of tho E.C. Mounted Rifles return from AVollington this morning.

Tlio secretary of the Hospital Trustees acknowledges a donation of £1 from Mr. T. J. Thomaß, of Maka-

On Monday Captain Church, of tho Salvation Army, leaves for a three weeks’ tour up tho Coast on behalf of the self-denial fund. Notico is givon in this issue that Miss K. Browning, Theosophical (society organiser, will visit Gisborne early in October;

Following is the latest addition to the telephone exchange:—lss, Fletcher afifijAVliitebread, Fresh Food and Ice Supply, Kahutia and Peel streets. The following connection is deleted: 155, D. S. Jamison.

At Thursday’s ceremony at the Sievwright Memorial Fountain, Mrs. Townley, on behalf of tho committee, presented Mr. Sievwright with a framed copy of the scroll which had been placed under tlio fountain.

A start will bo made with the unproved telephone system, 1.0. Hie multiple switchboard, on Monday. The apparatus is now complete, and Gisborne and district should appreciate the up-to-date installation. At a meeting of the County Council building committee yesterday it was decided to call for tenders for tho new office premises, on tho design of Mr. P. H. Graham, who will prepare the specifications.

With a view to conferring as to steps for acquiring portion of AVaihirore as a scenic reserve, a committee meeting of Borough and County Counoil representatives will be held on Monday evening.

A meeting of the Royal Arch-Chap-tor of the Purple Star Loyal Orange Lodge was held last evening at Robb’s Hall, Grey street. Several new members were initiated, the Grand Chaplain, Bro. AlbTston, performing tho ceremony.

• Ton volunteer officers from Hawke’s Bay and Poverty Bay had intended to attend the school of instruction to bo held in AVellington, hut owing to it having been postponed it is now found that only about throe will bo able to go.

Some 60 members havo paid their subscription to tho Drovers’ and Sheep farmers’ Association to date. This number includes a large proportion of owners, and when the drovers’ list i 6 complete tho Association’s membership is exjiected to total at laast 80.

Tho Rico Dramatic Company are at present engaged in rehearsing the melody drama; tho “Tic'ket-of-Leav© Man,” which they intend to stage at tho latter end of October. Mr. Rice has been particularly fortunate in his selection of the cast for this production.

Mr Corrie Johnston is announced to preach at the Baptist Tabernacle on Sunday at 11 a.m'.,-when his subject will bo “AA’orld AVide Dominion and entering its Government.” In tlio evening tho theme will bo “AVork by and with tho Muster.” At 8.30. there is to be a meeting for consultation and prayer as to a special mission in Gisborne.

Mr. F. S. Malcolm, formerly of tlio Central Auction Rooms, Christchurch, and latterly of tho AA’est Coast Trading Association, Rawer a, intends to engage in tiko auctioneering business in Gisborne, and will oi)en next month in the premises known as “tlio old auction rooms,” Lowo-street, which ho is having ronovated.

The sale of work held at the Barracks in aid of the Salvation Army self-denial fund was brought to a close last night. A magic lantern display was given by Staff-Captain AVard, and a number of gramophone selections were also given. Fa'rly good business was done at the stills, and it is anticipated that the financial results will be substantially in oxcess of last year’s.

Tho following letters aro lying unclaimed at the Dead-Letter Offico : From New South AVales. —A. N. J., A. L. Nicholls; AVest Australia—Miss Gaffrey; United Kingdom.—J. Campbell, D. Cassian, AA r . H. Clark, AV. Haile, H. B. Somerville; Franco. — Miss A. Davis; Tasmania. —G. AV. Duncombe, the Bushfellers’ Syndicate, Mrs. J. Tucker; Victoria. —J. Lacey, I). McPherson, H. C. Stewart; South Australia. —R. J. Munro.

At AVesley Church to-morrow the Ilov. C. Griffiin will preach morning and evening. The subject in the morning is “Unseen yet Loved” and ill tho evening “God’s Temptations and the Devil’s,” being the last of the series of sermons on tho Lord’s Prayer. The special gift collections which wore to have boon taken a fortnight ago, will bo taken on Sunday, owing to the very wot weather on the former Sumliy. Tho United Bible Class meet at 2.45 in the afternoon.

Tho present season of tlio Gisborne Debating Society will bo brought to a closo in Holy Trinity Schoolroom on, Monday evening next, when a burlesque municipal election will bo held. Six of tho members of the socioty will stand for election, and tho audienco will bo called upon to elect throe of them. After tho election there will bo a concert, and refreshments will bo dispensed. A silver coin collection will bo taken to defray expenses.

Tlio self-denial fund campaign at present being prosecuted by tho local corps of tho Salvation Army is drawing to a closo, but to-morrow will bo as strenuous a day as any of tbo week. At 3 p.m. a musical service will bo held at His Majesty’s Theatre, and at tho same placo at 8.10 p.m. a great missionary mooting will bo held. At 0.45 p.m. a magic lantern display will bo given in the Barracks for the benefit of tho children by Staff-Captain AVard. This evening the open-air meeting will bo conducted by the visiting officers.

A parade of the Gisborne Rifles was hold last night, Lieut. Mitchell being in charge in the absence ol' Captain Beere, and the first round of the section competition was sbo-t oil'. Next Friday evening the corps will have the privilege of parading in mufti. A match will bo fired on the miniature range for some excellent trophies, and a debate will bo held between the married and single men of the corps on the question, “Will the militia bo a success?” It bad been intended that yesterday Mrs Albiston, of tlio Salvation Army, should address a mooting of ladies regarding the social work of the Army. Owing to sickness in the family Mrs. Albiston was unable to visit Gisborno. In the circumstances her place was taken by Brigadier Albiston. who addressed a -viliattended meeting of ladies he.d in Townley’s Hall and presided over by Mrs. Townloy. The Brigadier qioted a number of cases of women who had derived great benefit from the institutions conducted by the Army. During the afternoon Major Dutton gave an appropriate vocal solo.

A successful social in aid of the To Karaka library was held on the evening of Dominion Day. About 120 couples took part and Sir Brown officiated as M.C. Miss Moore was mainly responsible for the music, other ladies playing the extras. During tlio evening songs were contributed by Messrs Von, Stein, Rhodes, Gray, Nisbett, Morgan and Engleb ret soil, and a patriotic address in connection with tho day was delivered by Dr. Hallen. Mr. C. Brown on behalf of the library committee, thanked tho public for Wie generous support accorded. The library assets were set down at £250, and t)he proceeds of the social and donations would reduce the overdraft to about £3O. With a view to wiping off the remaining liabilities a further function would be held at an early date. Among those to whom a word of credit is due in connection with the arrangements are Messrs Poynter, Burberry and F. Nortlio and Mes(l lines. Burberry and Brown, Misses Evinson (2) and Greon.

At His Majesty’s Theatre last evening Mrs. W. Grey held her annual fancy dress ball, the occasion being the breaking-up of the juvenile dancing class. There was a large number of children present, who, attired in various fancy costumes, a list of which will be found in the Ladies’ Magazine in tho supplement with this issue, enjoyed the evening’s amusement immensely. The following are the names of the children who took part in the fancy dances: Bose and butterfly dmee —Misses P. Winter, E. Goffe, M. Leslie, A. Green (yellow, pink, red and white roses), and the Misses C. Winter, T. Simson, M. Miiller, L. Hawley (scarlet, white, yellow, and blue butterflies) ; fan and skirt dance—Misses Nui Lunn and Lorn a Allan; tambourine dance—Musses Mary and Dorothy Martin, Ivy Parker, and Kathleen Barry. A Swedish jig was danced by all the pupils. An excellent supper was provided. The music by Miss Grey left nothing to be desired on that score. Dancing was kept up till midnight.