HEALTH OF YOUTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19419, 30 August 1926, Page 8

HEALTH OF YOUTH.

DEVELOPMENT BY SPOET. BEQUEST OF £IO,OOO MADE. GIFT OF FORMER ATHLETE. LATE RESIDENT OF HAMILTON. [BY TELEGRAPH. —CSWN CORRESPONDENT. ] HAMILTON. Sunday. A bequest of £IO,OOO for the promotion of good health among the children of New Zealand has been made by the late Mr. Herbert Smith, of Hamilton, who recently died at Mount Tambarine, Brisbane. The donor directs that a competitive prize should be offered 'to the person wao evolves the best scheme for securing the end he desires. During his life the late Mr. Smith was a noted athlete, and spent much time on physical training and chest development. Unfortunately he contracted a serious illness from which he died. The clause in the will relating to the bequest reads as follows: "During a lifetime of intermittent illness and five years of hospital and serious illness, I have given some thought to matters pathological, and have come to the firm conviction that cure is in the hands of the gods, and not, as is frequently alleged, in the hands of the British Medical Association, but prevention is unquestionably in the hands of parents, teachers, doctors and governments. Since Mr. 11. G. Wells published his Outline of History there is no excuse for any person of average intelligence not understanding something of the origin and development of the human animal to its present stage. Hardy Men and Women.

"It also should be obvious that the means necessary to maintain and develop the body over a period of millions of years cannot now be suddenly discarded and will be found even more necessary for maintenance and progress, for life must go on or deteriorate and perish. Therefore, in place of giving a sum to a hospital, I propose to award prizes for athletic competitions to the youth of Niew Zealand between the ages of nine and fifteen in a manner to induce the greatest possible number of them to become hardy and characterful men and w'omen. These prizes shall be given over a period of sevett years, by which time I trust the Government will have made all sports compulsory, as is the case in the best English schools, and I bequeath the sum of £IO,OOO for the purposes mentioned to my trustee, my brother, Mr. C. B. Smith, and to my friend, Mr. F. A. de la Mare, of Hamilton, aforesaid, as trustees of such fund and request them to take such steps as they may consider necessary to effectuate my purpose.

"I suggest to my trustees that they consider the question of concentrating on route .marches' or harriers for boys and skipping for girls should they "prove practicable, but to assist them in making the greatest possible use of the money I wish, them to offer the sum of £25 as a prize for the scheme which will, in their opinion, benefit the greatest possible number of children. • Deep Breathing Opposed. "No scheme must have in any part of -it conscious deep breathing, which I consider develops the very dangerous habit of holding the breath. during the strain of exertion, but should be confined to sport promoting the fullest possible development of the nose and respiratory tract, especially between the ages of nine and twelve, and putting that foundation in the growing child which is so vitally necessary to adult health." The late Mr. Smith left a large fortune, and his will was lodged yesterday for probate. ■ Mr. Smith was born in Wellington. For many years he was abroad and travelled extensively in many ■countries. He spent some years in the Argentine, Africa and Australia, but eventually settled in Hamilton. When war broke out in 1914 Mr. Smith was in England and he immediately offered his services. Although a strong man physically and a noted athlete, he was rejected. Mr. Smith was possessed of ample means and when he found he could not render personal service at the front, he built a munitions factory and for the period of the war he was engaged in making shells. While in England Mr. Smith contracted chest trouble, to which he has - just succumbed.