PHYSICAL FITNESS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 25 January 1939, Page 10

PHYSICAL FITNESS

LOCAL COMMITTEE SET UP

TO ARRANGE WEEK’S DEMONSTRATIONS MEETING LAST EVENING A well attended meeting of representatives of local sports bodies and others interested in the proposed “Physical Fitness Week” was held in the Council Chambers last evening when it *vas unanimously decided to support the scheme. After electing all present members of the general committee for the organisation of the week’s activities an executive committee was set up. which in turn appointed a sub-commit-tee to consider the proposals put forward.

The Mayor, Mr G. L. Page, who presided at The meeting, said that to launch a physical fitness campaign in New Zealand the Hon W E. Parry, the Minister in charge of the Physical Welfare and Recreations Act. which was passed last session, bad seen fit to ask all sports bodies and youth movements to co-op-erate In this “Physical Fitness Week, and the meeting was being held for that purpose A programme drawn up by the Internal Affairs Department as a guide to the local committees when drawing up their programmes was then read by Mr F Mitchell. This included such items as special church parades on Sunday

] morning and evening, picnic excursions and hiking parties on Sunday afternoon, j health pictures (supplied by the Health Department) for schools, parades, lectures, inter-house demonstrations, swimming carnivals, and cooking demonstraj tions. | Mr H. Atmore, M.P.. then drew attention to the fact that not enough emphasises was given to the matters of j food and the correct ways of preparing it in the proposed schedule. He was I satisfied that you must have as a foun- ■ dation for physical fitness proper food taken in the proper form One item that could have been omitted from the proposed programme, continued Mr Atmore. was tlie proposal to hold picnics and hiking outings on Sunday He did not think the Government was justified in officially asking that these events take place on Sunday Mr Atmore then moved the following resolution: ‘That this meeting heartily support the proposal for the holding of a ‘Physical Fitness Week’ in Nelson during the week from 18th to 25th FebI ruar.v. and that a committee be formed for the purpose of making the necessary arrangements ” The resolution was seconded by Mr E R Neale and carried. Representatives of various sporting bodies and youth movements then offered their full co-operation and suppi >rt. these including the Nelson Ministers’ Association. Cricket Association. ! Tahuna Sands Association Bov Scouts’ Association Girl Guides’ Association. ; Swimming Association. Athletic Club, i Department of Health Regimental and I I Citizens’ Bands. Y M C A and Y WC A„ | j Bowling Association. Rugby Union and , Regatta Committee COUNTRY ARRANGEMENTS j ! Mr .1 Corder. chairman of the Wai- J jinca County Council, said that the j Countv Council had received a notice J from the Internal Affairs Department askine them to summon a meeting, but

they had not done so in the hope that they would be able to amalgamate with the Nelson committee. If the Nelson committee could arrange for a demonstration in the main country centres the Countv Council would move no further in the matter Mr VV .T S Coleman, representing the Richmond Physical Fitness Committee. said that they had held two very successful meetings and drawn up a draft programme for a demonstration j on Saturday. 18th February This included a procession, an address by Mr !I Atmore. M.P.. children’s display of physical drill, and athletic sports Mr Page assured the country districts of the full co-operation of the committee and it was later decided that Saturday. 18th. should be set aside as a country day. I" promising the support of the Athletic Club for the week’s activities. Mr T W Russell pointed out that special mention had been made of inter-house sports in the suggested programme, ind volunteered on behalf f the club run an extended programme on the Wednesday night to allow a special feature to be made of these events EXECUTIVE APPOINTED The following executive committee was then elected: Miss E Gray. Miss J Stewart Rev .1 Hay. Dr. W D S .Johnston Dr .1 Boyd Dr. S A Gibbs. Messrs J. A. Harley, H Atmore L. Cato,

H. V. Searle, H. J. Thornton. A. H. Crawley, E. R. Neale, C. M Rout. H R. Duncan. J. Corder, J. W Russell, and F C Boulton The meeting then disbanded and • meeting of the executive was held. The first point cn which the committee attempted to come to a decision was whether the activities should be spread over a full week or whether they should be limited to two or three days, a number of speakers believing that the scheme would break down of Its own weight if kept up too long. After considerable discussion, during which no headway was made. Mr J. Corder said that as they id not seem to be able to arrive at a decision he would move that a suo-committee be appointed to investigate the matter and report back to the executive The motion was carried, and the following sub-committee elected: Dr. Johnson Messrs J. W Russell. H Atmore. A H Crawley. E. R Neale. F. & Boulton, and the Mayor It was then resolved on the motion of Mr J. G McKay that it be a suggestion to the committee that the display tx limited t * three days.