Headmaster Vetoes Health Exercises

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 813, 6 November 1929, Page 1

Headmaster Vetoes Health Exercises

TWO PNEUMONIC CASES BOARD GIVES APPROVAL The headmaster at Brixton Road School, Mr. P. J. Hook, has suspended the ground physical exercises introduced by the Health Department. Since the system was begun, two cases of double pneumonia have taken place in his school. This morning, the Auckland Education Board granted Mr. Hook permission to discontinue the exercises, and further decided to gain an opinion on the system from the Headmasters’ Association. The Introduction of the new exercises has already aroused complaints from parents, and, at Its previous meeting, the board members watched a demonstration of the system by an Instructor.

In asking permission to discontinue the exercises necessitating lying or sitting on the ground, Mr. Hook said: “I have the support of my staff in suspending the exercises.” Should one of the pneumonia cases prove to be fatal, Mr. Hook added, the blame could be lodged against the exercises. Instead of carrying out the exercises on open ground, the system could be used in a school hall.

Mr. H. S. W. King moved that permission be given Mr. Hook to stop the exercises. It was the view of Mr. R. Hoe that discretion in the practice of the system could be left to headmasters. “We should be careful not to discourage the Health Department,” urged Mrs. N. E. Ferner.

Mr. E. C. Banks: Some of the aversion to the exercises could be explained in the extra trouble in drying hundreds of sacks used by the children. The exercises are wanted, especially in a city. Mr. T. U. Wells: It would be safe to give the headmasters discretion. Mr. F. A. Snell thought that the Question of exercises making necessary recumbent positions was more serious than it appeared to be. “From what I saw at the demonstration given us,” he said, “we will all be pigeon-toed in a few generations.” Mr. Hook’s application was then granted, and, on the motion of Mr. W. Campbell, an opinion will be sought from the Headmasters’ Association.