RECREATION

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10522, 25 February 1920, Page 7

RECREATION

FOR TECHNICAL SCHOLARS PRESSING NEEDS OF STUDENT'S. A number of suggestions in regard to tho recreation and physical training of the students at the Wellington Technical College were contained in the report presented to last nights meeting of tho Board of Governors of the school by the director, Mr J. H. Howell.

The departmental regulations, Mr Howell stated, require that physical training should be given to the girls as well as to the boys, and that this should include, where possible, instruction in swimming and life-saving. So far, nothing has been done in this direction except the arrangements tor sports on at most ono afternoon a week; but this required to be supplemented by definite and skilled physical training IT the development was to be all round. Tho boys were provided for in their cadet drill, and provision should bo made for the girls also. It might be possible to come to some arrangement with the Y.M.C-A. whereby they might have the use of their gymnasium;, or, failing that, might rent some hall and engage a part-time teacher of physical culture, if such was available. In order that in future better provision may be made for the games of the college, by the direction of the chairman, he had approached the Wellington City Council, asking upon what terms the council would bo prepared to allow the college to use a portion of the reserve at the top ot Rolloston street-. This would be very, conveniently situated as regards the new site. It would require some considerable outlay unless arrangements could be made with the brickmakers to remove the excellent clay. So tar no reply had! been received. It must be regarded as the first necessity of an educational institution that aims to secure all-round development that it should possess adequate grounds for games; for without these the institution would be prevented ior all time from fulfilling its proper functions. In the Wellington Boys’ College there was an example of admirable foresight, and the possession ot its playing fields is an asset of untold value l to the college. The Christchurch Technical College owned about fourteen acres of playing fields, and the board incurred an annual expenditure of not less than £3OO for their maintainence. If the Technical College was to fulfil its proper function, facilities must be made available for physical training. The London “Times’’ had stated that “the claim for playing fields is as sound and valid as the claim for libraries, and laboratories.” Tho matter should not bo deferred "for the future, for every year would increase the difficulty of making eucn provision. • The report was adopted. On the motion of Mr Bennett, tho board congratulated the director upon his report. The mover said he hoped) the director would continue to submit to the beam meetings such comprehensive statements of the progress and requirements of the college.