NEED FOR PLAYGROUNDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19658, 9 June 1927, Page 13

NEED FOR PLAYGROUNDS

THE POSITION IN AUCKLAND. WIDER FACILITIES URGED. AMERICAN VISITOR'S VIEWS. The need in Auckland for children's playgrounds, supervised by trained directors? was emphasised yesterday by Mrs. Willoughby Rodman, of Los Angeles, California, at a reception tendered to her by the Auckland Play Association. Mrs. Rodman is a member of the National Board of the Playground and Recreation Association of the United States, and was for 17 years director of recreation in Los Angeles. Mrs. N. E. Ferner, president of the association, presided. Mrs Rodman said she had been asked what need there was for organised recreation in Auckland, which was rich in playgrounds. In replying, she had pointed out that when the present generation had been young a large part of what was now the city had been occupied bv farms, on which they had been brought up. This was now built over, and if the children were to be kept off the streets, plenty of playgrounds, supervised by trained directors, must be provided. The speaker instanced the beneficial influence in Los Angeles of organised play in breaking up gangs of boys who would otherwise have become criminals, but, instead, had become good citizens and successful men. Importance, of Supervision. "There is no sense in thinking that play areas will be used by the children unless trained directors are in charge," continued Mrs. Rodman. "It is as sensible to establish a school without teachers. I have seen over and over again that bullies monopolise the best swing, the best ball and the best of everything else for themselves. Children naturally want the best things for themselves, and trained directors are needed to teach them to be unselfish." People of exceptional character and ability were required. A child's character was largely formed in its leisure hours, when it exercised its own choice of occupation, hence the work of the director was even more important than that of the school teacher. Lipon the use of its leisure the future of the nation largely depended. Turning to the position in Auckland Mrs. Rodman expressed admiration oi what had been done, saying the best advice she could give was that it should be carried further. Areas lor Young Women. More provision should be made for playgrounds for girls and young women. She instanced a case in which girls were allowed the use ol a playground so small that only a few could use it at a time and after a restricted period they had to vacate it for the boys. There were ample spaces available and a large one should be set aside foi girls. As to finance, it was her experience that local bodies invariably said they had no money, but when the public expressed determination to have a thing the money was found. Mr. A. J. Entncan, speaking on behalf of the Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, expressed appreciation of Mrs. Rodman's address. The City Council had 180 acres of land at Lake St. John which wouki make one of the finest playing grounds in New Zea land. The council intended to make the best use of it, but its development would probably invoive the draining of the lake in order that a road to the area might be formed. The council was entirely sympathetic to the playground movement, but there was no doubt that money was the difficulty He agreed with Mrs. Rod- j man that an expressed public determination to have a thing generally resulted in its being provided. A vote of thanks was passed to Mrs. Rodman foi her address.