FACILITIES FOR RECREATION

Southland Times, Issue 23741, 13 February 1939, Page 2

FACILITIES FOR RECREATION

SURVEY TO BE MADE BY COMMITTEE PROGRAMME FOR FITNESS WEEK When the physical fitness week is finished a survey will be made of the facilities for recreation at the port and an endeavour -will be made to obtain a gymnasium for the benefit of the youth of the town. This was decided at a meeting of the Bluff Physical Fitness Committee held in the council chambers on Saturday night. It was 'said there were too many young people who spent their leisure on the streets and the opportunity was now available to encourage them to take an interest in sport "

Mr D. E. S. Mason suggested that the committee meet as soon as possible after the special week as there were many duties confronting them which came under the scope of the Act; “There are wide powers under the Act," said the Mayor (Mr John Cameron). “We are required to make a survey of the recreational facilities at Bluff and to encourage training in physical fitness and sport. I have been interviewed by one young man Who is keen to form a gymnasium class. He assures me that many young men are willing to support the scheme.” Mr H. A. Ferguson: Our next function must be to make a survey of the existing facilities for recreation at the port and we should be able to draw up at the next meeting a report for the National, Council. Mr Mason suggested that the committee .write to all the sports bodies, and ask them to supply details concerning membership, finance, and equipment. These facts would provide the committee with data upon which to work. It was agreed to adopt the suggestion. Mr O. F. Metzger: I suppose the Government will give some sort of subsidy? The local bodies could not find all the money. Mr A. E. Budd said it was the Government’s intention to assist financially in any schemes affecting the physical well-being of the people. Mr Mason was given authority to approach the Defence Department when in Wellington next week with a view to obtaining the drill hall for use as. a gymnasium. ■ >■ PROGRAMME FOR WEEK The following programme for physical fitness week was approved:— Saturday, February 18—Sports fixtures as usual. Sunday—Annette Kellerman Cup race at 1.30 p.m.; ministers to be asked to make reference to the week during services; appeal by the GovernorGeneral; national hook-up on radio. Monday—School sports, physical drill, and so on, at west-end recreation area in afternoon. Basketball club match in evening. Tuesday—Croquet match at 1.30 p.m.; cricket match .at west-end recreation area at 6 p.m.; tennis match same evening. Wednesday—Women’s bowling match at 10 a.m. Men’s bowls at 6 p.m. (East V. West). Thursday—Bluff Harbour Board cricket' match (“Sea-dogs” v. “Landlubbers”) at 6 p.m. Health, talks in Plunket rooms at 2.30 p.m. Friday—Swimming and school sports to' be arranged if possible. Saturday—Sports fixtures. There were present at the meeting: The Mayor (Mr John Cameron), the town clerk (Mr 1 !!!. A. Ferguson), Mesdames E. Weir, and M. M. Pearce and Messrs D. E. S. Mason, O. F. Metzger, and A. E. Budd. , SCHOOL EXCURSIONS Special trains carried 370 passengers to Bluff on Saturday when the Waimea Plains district school and the North Invercargill school held their annual picnic at the port. The train from Waimea Plains brought 200 excursionists and 170 arrived from Invercargill. In spite of heavy rain the night before the weather on Saturday was fine and warm and the outings were very successful. Big crowds established thfemselves at Argyle Park, and at the beach opposite bathing was enjoyed. Walks over the hill and round Stirling Point were popular, and the presence of an overseas liner, the Port Line steamer Port Hunter, was an additional attraction, many showing interest in discharging operations on the waterfront. TAMATEA’S PASSENGERS Passengers to Stewart Island on Saturday morning included Mrs T. K. Bragg, Mr R. Bragf and Mrs T. Neilson (Half Moon Bay), Mr R. T. Parsons (Invercargill) and Mr C. Warburton (Dunedin). PERSONAL Mr C. W. A. Peterson, chief engineer on the Government lighthouse steamer Matai and Government light expert, who has been visiting Bluff, has left for Godley Head light.