PHYSICAL FITNESS WEEK

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 27 February 1939, Page 2

PHYSICAL FITNESS WEEK

FINAL FUNCTION MR C. F. SKINNER M.P. PARTICIPATES The Physical Fitness Week campaign concluded in Motueka with an afternoon function held in the Cricket Ground on Saturday. Although ideal weather conditions prevailed, the attendance of the public, due no doubt to the busy season being in progress, did not come up to expectations. Mr C. F. Skinner M.P. and Mrs Skinner were among those present. An interesting programme was pre- , sented, consisting of massed physical drill and folk dancing by the schools, Fire Brigade demonstrations, a basket--1 ball match, display of Boy Scouts, cycle and athletic events and a tug of war competition. Splendid oaganisation was 1 evident in the way in which events , followed each other in quick succes--1 Pupils of the Motueka, Riwaka and Brooklyn schools paraded at the Mo- ; lueka School Ground, with their res- , pective teachers, and formed a procession to the Cricket Ground, where they 1 marched to music supplied by a gramo--1 phone and loud speaker. SCHOOLS DISPLAY FOLK DANCES AND DRILL Proceedings commenced with three Folk Dances —“Sir Roger De Coverley”, “Shoemakers” and the “Grand Old Duke of York” —performed with grace ad enthusiasm by the infants and primary pupils. An excellent display, by the boys of the Motueka ’ School, consisting of dry land swim, wheel, stride jumping, turning and clapping, quick sets, vertical push and trunk bend series, followed. Physical exercises, by the girls of the Motueka School, also performed with correctness and precision, included quick sets, kneeling salaam, vertil eal push, dry land swim and Egyptian ; balance. ; Three folk dances —“Rufty Tufty”, “Salengers Round” and “Gathering Peascods” were very attractive items, artistically executed by the pupils of 1 the Motueka High School, Motueka Primary School and the Riwaka and Brooklyn schools. Miss Tempero and Miss Relat, responsible for the training of the small children and Miss McLean and Miss Dukeson for the older girls, and also Mr A. G. Nightingale and Mr F. Wright, who had instructed the boys, are to be complimented along with the teachers of the other schools taking part on the excellent displays given by the pupils, all of which were very much enjoyed by the parents and friends who witnessed them. BOY SCOUTS The Motueka and Riwaka Boy Scout troops under their respective scoutmasters, Mr E. Light and Mr J. W. Clarkson, combined in a demonstration of artificial respiration and a chariot race, the latter item causing much amusement. GYMNASTIC DISPLAY Members of the Methodist Church Gymnastic Club with Mr Bruce Smith as instructor, showed considerable agility and aptitude in their display on the vaulting horse. BASKETBALL A seven minutes basketball match in which members of the Old Girls’ Club participated, with Mr A. L. Kirk as referee, provided variation to the sports’ programme. FIRE BRIGADE DEMONSTRATION Lieutenant T. Simpson was in charge of the Motueka Volunteer Fire Brigade, members of which gave a demonstration of three men, disabled hose (two teams) and four men recail hose events. These water items were witnessed with interest and thoroughly enjoyed by the young folk, particularly when two of the firemen proceeded, at the conclusion of the display, to hose each other. CYCLING AND ATHLETIC EVENTS The results of the cycling and amateur athletic events, conducted by the officials of the Motueka Amateur Athletic Club were as follows: Half-mile cycle: J. Burn (Nelson) 1, E. Langley (Nelson) 2, R. Grear (Ne 1 * son) 3. One mile cycle: E. Langley 1, J. Burn 2 G. Mackie 3. Three mile cycle: E. Langley 1, G. Mackie 2. During the running of this event a small boy darted across the track in front of the oncoming cyclists, who were just completing the tenth lap, and collided with J. Burn. The child and rider fell heavily but fortunately what might have been an accident with serious consequences resulted only in both being bruised and badly shaken. Burn continued and finished the race. Ladies’ relay race, 440 yards: Athletic

Club 1, Heaths Ltd. 2, Manoys Ltd. 3. High School 4. Men’s relay, 440 yards: “Star Times” I, “Territorials” 2, Heath’s Ltd. 3. 75 yards Ladies’: E. Berry 1. E. Holyoake 2, B. Bowers 3. TUG OF WAR A tug of war competition between Foster Barham’s team and the Upper Moutere team created keen interest among the spectators, the former proving the stronger. The winning team included Mr C. F. Skinner M.P., Foster Barham, Leo Fry. J. V. Wilson, W. Rosenberg and J. T. Lewis. Those representing the Moutere team were J. H. Wallis. J. Craig, D. Eggers, N. Eggers, C. Smith and E. Smith. During the afternoon the Motueka Municipal Band, under the baton of Mr Gerald Green, played a number of selections, and Mr W. York operated the loud speaker.

Ground officials responsible for the. efficient and expeditious carrying out j of the programme of events were Mr W. M. Thomas (marshal). Messrs J. Fallover and V. Evans (stewards) and Mr , A. L. Kirk (secretary)