Fitness Week

Hutt News, Volume 12, Issue 36, 1 March 1939, Page 7

Fitness Week

CAMPAIGN IN HUTT

YOUTH NIGHT.

On Tuesday night between 700 and 800 girls and boys assembled in Laings Road and, headed by the Hutt Valley Pipe Band, marched to the Recreation Ground, where they participated in the Youth Night in connection with Fitness Week. Mr. C. Halford acted as marshal and the procession comprised Territorials, Hutt Valley High School girl and boy pupils, boxing and basket-ball teams, members of the Health and Beauty movement, Scouts and Y.M.C.A. gymnasts. The drill exercises given by the High School pupils was a particularly good display and was greeted by much applause. The boxing display, which created much interest, was given by pupils of Mr. J. Dunn, of Moera, and Miss Caroline Ward led the members of the Health and Beauty movement in rhythmic exercises, and later Miss Ward gave a graceful and novel solo dance. Spectacular displays were also given by the Girl Guides and the basket-ball teams. More than 100 Scouts took part in the demonstration of the erection of tents in quick time. Then lights wore set in each tent and fires lit outside. The electric lights of the ground were shut off ahd the full effect of the display was apparent. It was a worthy finale to an excellent programme. It closed with the valley Scouts who attended the recent Australian Jamboree giving hakas and the singing of good-night song by the full assembly. During an interval the Mayor (Mr. J. W. Andrews) thanked the organisers for the splendid effort they had made. He commended the objects of Fitness Week to the public. He was gratified at the large attendance, which, he said, was an indication of the keen interest the people of the valley had in their young people. SWIMMING CARNIVAL. The swimming carnival, conducted by • the Combined Hutt and Petone clubs, in Riddiford Baths on Thursday night, was attended by a record crowd. The mayor congratulated those officials who so admirably made Physical Fitness Week in Lower Hutt and Petone the great success it has so far been, and said he felt sure that the fitness campaign had come to stay. He thanked the clubs and competitors for their loyal support. Competition was keen, qnd some closes finishes witnessed. The Palmer Cup, swum over 400 yards, was won by D. Routley. The secondary schools relay was closely contested for three laps when St. Patrick's Silverstream, forged to the front and won by three yards from Hutt Valley. Miss W. Pritchard won the women's handicap final in a great tussle with Miss M. Wright, by a touch. The diving troup, comprising Messrs. F. Greenem, C. R. Riordan, R. T. Shannon, R. W. McLay, R. Tuppen and J. McDonald, entertained the crowd with their amusing turns off the high board in fancy costume. A demonstration of life-saving methods was given by the Y.M.C.A. club. Methods employed in the learn to swim campaign were demonstrated by four boys under the supervision of Mr. Penhall. Results:— 33 1-3 Yards Schoolboys' Handicap.—W. Kyle, scr, 1; D. Garrett, 6sec, 2. Time, 21 2-5. Palmer Cup Handicap, 440 Yards (Hutt club members only).—D. Routley, l-'sec, 1; K. Lines, Bsec, 2; G. Balfour, scr, 3. Time, 6.35. D. Wright held the lead for eight laps when Routley forged to the front, and swimming strongly, went on to win by 13 yards from Lines. Balfour, coming fast over the last two laps, was about six yards behind Lines. His effort from scratch was a particularly fine one. , In a special 33 1-3 yards race between Miss P. Barclay and a lad, W. T. King, Miss Barclay won by a yard. 66 2-3 Yards Women's Handicap. —First heat: Miss W. Pritchard, scr, 1; Miss P. King, 3sec, 2; Miss A. Parr, lsec, 3 Time, 47 2-5. Second heat: Miss M. Wright, 4sec, 1; Miss B. Wilson, 7sec, 2; Miss Z. Strickland, 3sec, 3. Time, 55 1-5. Final: Miss W. Pritchard, Hutt, scr, 1; Miss M. Wright, Hutt, 4'sec, 2; Miss P. King, Hutt, 3sec, 3. Time, 46 2-5. Won by a touch. 220 Yards Secondary Schools Relay (six a-side). —St. Patrick's, Silverstream, 1; Hutt Valley High School, 2; Petone Memorial Technical College, 3. Time, 2.1. Hutt Valley led for three laps when St. Patrick's took the lead and won by a good three yards. 66 2-3 Yards Men's Handicap.— First heat: A. Somervell, scr, 1; C. Eves, 3sec, 2. Time, 36 2-5. Second heat: R. Wood, 7sec, 1; G. Balfour, 3sec, 2. Time, 44 2-5. Third heat: Waller, 12sec, 1; D. Routley, 4sec, 2; Howart, Bsec, 3. Time, 44. Final: C. Eves, 3sec, 1; R. Somervell, scr, 2. Time, 42.