SCHOOL FIELD DAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23320, 13 April 1939, Page 16

SCHOOL FIELD DAY

TECHNICAL COLLEGE PHYSICAL FITNESS 1000 BOYS IN THE DOMAIN A thousand boys of the Seddon Memorial Technical College began school yesterday after the Easter holidays with a "physical fitness field day" in the Domain. The idea of organising a day's activity in the open air originated with the principal of the college, Mr. G. J. Park, and the arrangements were carTied out by the officers of the cadet battalion under Captain B. M. Davis,

Working to . a carefully drawn tip programme, boys of all ages between 13 and 18 were given a succession of things to do in groups, according to their physical capabilities. Running races, jumping, putting the shot, javelin-throwing and tugs-of-war occupied part of the time, and provision was also made for physical exercises and Rugby and Association football practice. About '4O hoys whose physique receives sfiecinl attention throughout the year were grouped together and given appropriate exercises by the college's gymnasium instructor. . In addition to games and athletics, military work was carried out. This included flag and buzzer signalling and ambulance practice, while the engineering unit constructed a tall observation platform with sapling poles and rope lashings. At lunch-time a liberal ration of milk was served out to everybody, and the day's activities closed at 3 p.m. with a battalion parade. The boys obviously enjoyed the day, and the experiment was regarded as a decided success. Whether further field days of the same kind will bo held later has yet to be decided.