NATIONAL FITNESS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23274, 17 February 1939, Page 16

NATIONAL FITNESS

WEEK'S ACTIVITIES

COMMENCEMENT TO-MORROW

LARGE PROGRAMME ARRANGED

In fin endeavour to encourage the general public and particularly the youth of New Zealand in recreation and sport, and with the aim of improving the general standard of physical fitness

of nil New Zoalanders, the national physical fitness week will be commenced to-morrow. , There has been a ready response from athletic and sporting bodies and organisations interested in youth welfaio to the appeal for eo-operation in making the week's activities a success. All local bodies have agreed to make sports grounds available free of charge for the demonstrations which will bo held. ■j, Physical Culture Display The drive will be commenced with a physical culture display by the Auckland Girls' Athletic Association at Eden Park to-morrow afternoon. The display will be held in conjunction with the Auckland Cricket Association's weekly matches. The girls taking part have been training assiduously for some weeks and it will be their endeavour to show Aucklanders the fine fitness and grace that cari be achieved by means of exercise and sport. The Auckland Waterside Workers' Band will be iri attendance.

The programme for fitness week has been arranged by an Auckland City committee set up under the Physical Welfare and Recreation Act, 1937, and is a very extensive one indeed. Every sporting club and association in Auckland has placed its facilities at the disposal of the public for next week, when it is expected that full advantage will be taken of the opportunity to indulge in sport. Surf Life-Saving Championships The New Zealand surf life-saving championships will be commenced at Milford Beach to-morrow, when the public of Auckland will be given the opportunity of witnessing in action some of the finest types of New Zealand manhood. The third and final race in the world's 18ft. yachting championship series will also be held tomorrow. In the evening the Auckland Folk Dancing Society will hold a gathering at the Young Women's Christian Association building.

The elect of the province's athletes will compete in the Auckland track and field championships, to be decided at Carlaw Park on Saturday, February 25, which is the concluding day of the fitness week. Spectacular Demonstrations The tournament will be opened with a inarch past of athletes, sportsmen and sportswomen. The Mayor of Auckland, Sir Ernest Davis, will take the salute. Spectacular physical culture and weight-lifting demonstrations will also be witnessed, while a camping display b ■ Auckland girl guides will bp an added attraction. All Auckland bands will be in attendance, and the gathering will be one of the most ambitious of its kind ever planned for Auckland.

The learn-to-swim campaign, in which 1000 voluntary instructors are giving their services, has commenced. The aim is to make 75,000 New Zealand children able to look after themselves in the water. All schools are throwing open their baths and playgrounds so that they will be available lor swimming and games when required.