SPORT IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Taranaki Daily News, 30 September 1929, Page 7

SPORT IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS

ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL MEETING. DATE OF GATHERING CHANGED. The annual meeting of the North Taranaki Primary Schools’ Amateur Athletic Association was held in New Plymouth on Friday night, when there was an attendance of about 15 teachers and members of school committees. The second annual report stated that the council had during the year confined its energies to arranging for and carrying out the annual sports fixture, which was held at Pukekura Park on March 14. Entries numbering 1088 were received from 20 schools. It was regretted that the Central School, the previous year’s winner of the shield and the largest school in the district, did not compete. A programme consisting of 74 girls events and 74 boys events was carried through successfully, the competition in each event being, very keen. Tho system inaugurated last year of awarding handicap points varying from 10 to 30 to country schools of grades 0 to 3 was again adopted. Country schools also competed for the Furrie Cup donated by Mr. L. J. Furrie, headmaster of 'he Stratford School. The Education Board’s shield was won by West End with 74 points in championship events, whilst Fitzroy were runners-up with 59/points, and Lower Mangorei third with 40 points. Fitzroy therefore won the run-ner-up cup and Lower Mangorei the Furrie Cup. .. , To maintain interest among ex-pupils of schools and old boys’ and an old girls’ race were placed on the programme. These drew satisfactory entries and a silver cup donated by Mr. J. S. 8. Medley was awarded the winner of the old boys race. Since then Dr. P. C. Davie had donated a similar cup for competition in the old girls race. The thanks of the association were due to these two for their continued interest in school athletics. The council also wished to thank those who were not connected with the schools for their assistance on sports day, and the Taranaki Education Board for granting permission for the sports to be held bn a school day and for permitting the use of its rooms for meetings. The balance-sheet showed that receipts had amounted to £42 4s 7d, the principal items being gate takings £l4 Is, entry fees £l2 15s 6d, donation school committees . association £5, sale ■of tickets £4 17s, sale of programmes £3 Is 9d. Expenditure had totalled £4B 12s 2d. Mr. Train moved that the report be. adopted and the motion was seconded by Mr.. Colson. The chairman said that as far as the balance-sheet was concerned a. loss of £3 Us 5d was shown. It was not a big amount. and-the policy of the association was not a money-making one. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Officers were elected as follows: —Patron, Mr, J. S. S. Medley (re-elected); president, Mr. S, G. Smith, M.P. (re-elected); vice- presidents, ten were elected; auditor, Mr. A. Jenkin (re-elected).; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. M. Goldsbury (re-elect-ed); assistant secretary, Mr. A. L. Kidson; council, Misses. Ritchie, King and’Henderson, Messrs. L. J. Furrie, F. A. Bruce, W. L. Wagstaff, C. E, Browning, A. Sadler, C. Drader, W. R. Adams, A. S. Hunter, J. Shimmin, F. A. Coleman and J. A. Burr. DATE OF THE SPORTS. Some discussion took place over the question of the date of the sports meeting. Mr. A. D. Train moved that the meeting be held as near as possible to the close of the school year. In support he stated that the majority of the schools held their sports gathering at the close of the year, which was a more suitable time for the children to get into training. ' ’ This was seconded by Mr. Robinson, who suggested the sports should be held on Saturday instead of Thursday, but Mr. Train would not agree to that. Mr. Lyall pointed out that at the close of the year school teachers were very busy over matters connected with the inside activities, and while he agreed that sports would be a fitting wind up to a school year, he thought the inside activities at that time would preclude headmasters from participating. He moved as an amendment that the sports be held in the autumn. Mr. D. P. Evans in seconding the amendment agreed that the end of the year was an unopportune time. It would mean holding two meetings in the one year. Mr. Hunter considered the only argument in favour of holding the sports in the autr umn was that the weather was more settled. Mr. Evans said that the country people had to be considered, and the end of the year was their busy time, whereas in March work was somewhat slacker. Mr. Hunter pointed out that when the association was formed it was proposed to hold the sports at the close of the year, but as it was too late to make the arrangements it was decided to hold -them in March. After a lengthy discussion the motion in favour of December was carried oy a narrow majority. Mr. Evans said he would find it impossible to enter any pupils at that period of the year. Mr. Lyall said that though it would be difficult Fitzroy would be represented. A speaker: Central did not enter last year in any case. Mr. Evans: That was on account of the gala. Further disc jssion took place over the day of the sports. Mr. Evans moved that they be held on a Saturday. He did not consider school work should be held up for a day for the sake of the three per cent, of pupils who competed at the sports. Mr. Robinson seconded the motion. Mr. Train moved that the sports be held bn Thursday. He pointed out that sports were regarded as part of education. .Mr. Bruce in seconding pointed out the difficulty of securing the ground on a Saturday. The chairman si'.’.d that if they decided on a Saturday they could look for another ground. There wo’i <1 be no possibility of securing Pukekura Park. Mr. Evans said he had overlooked that point. The amendment was carried and it was decided that the sports be held on’Thurs- < ay. December 12. It was resolved to thank Dr. Davie for his donation of a cup atid to make the award of the cup retrospective, the name of the winner of the previous old girls’ race to be engraved on the trophy. It was decided to take steps to increase t-he membership. Mr. McKinney moved that the executive be recommended to set up a sub-committee to consider the financial aspect with a view to ensuring the financial success of the gathering. In seconding Mr. Sadler considered that with organisation the sports could be made so successful as to build up a fund to provide for other sports activities in various schools. Mr. Coleman said the school committees would give assistance readily if approached.