NO TENNIS ON SUNDAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20982, 19 September 1931, Page 12

NO TENNIS ON SUNDAY.

USE OF SCHOOL GROUNDS. WELLINGTON BOARD'S DECISION. Lawn tennis must not be played on Sundays on school playgrounds in the Wellington education district, according to a by-law of the Education Board which was reaffirmed at a meeting of the board this week. The subject was introduced by Mr. C. H. Nicholls, who, in accordance with notice, moved that the by-law be rescinded, and that the board leave the giving of permission to use school tennis courts on Sundays to the school committees. Mr. Nicholls said the world had moved on since the veto against playing tennis on Sunday had been passed. The day had gone by when people felt that they must go inside on Sunday, draw the blinds and hold their breath. Mr. P. Robertson seconded the motion. He admitted that he liad been responsible for starting cricket, matches on the Upper Hutt Recreation Ground on Sundays. It was better for young men to engage in clean, manly games, such as tennis and cricket, than to play "two-up" or loaf round getting into mischief. These games, however, should not be played in church hours, and he would be against club matches being played on Sunday. Mr. T. W. McDonald, M.P., said that Sunday was the only day on which many men liad an opportunity of obtaining physical exercise. Mr. J. .7. Clark said that if the motion were carried it would cause a good deal of bitterness among those who regarded the Sabbath as sacred. Mr. D. McCallum held that one of the board's duties to the public was to endeavour to raise the standard of morals. School grounds were set apart for tlie specific us© of school children, and the board should guard against any attempt to encroach upon the children,s rights. The chairman, Mr. T. Forsyth, said lie had been fond of sports, but sport would have lost its charm had ho ployed on every day of the week. If tennis was to be. allowed on Sunday, why not Rugby football? School grounds should be reserved for the exclusive use of the children. He hoped the board would not rescind the by-law. Even if some committees had violated the by-law, the board should take firm steps to see that it was observed. Mr. A Donald said that many school committees would bo glad to know that the board was. standing behind its bylaw. The motion was heavily defeated, only three members voting for it.