ATHLETICS.

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19945, 23 July 1936, Page 9

ATHLETICS.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Reading the Times this evening, I was very interested in the account of the torch-hearers to Berlin. I have been in Hamilton nearly six years and cannot call to mind ever witnessing an athletic meeting. I have seen athletes training on the various grounds, and the thought has occurred to me, What meetings do they compete in? It seems to me we are very poorly catered for in that line. At Christmas time I spent a fortnight in Taranaki, and while there Was present at a splendid gathering of athletes in that wonderful park at New Plymouth. This meeting was held at night, the ground being floodlighted, and I spent a most enjoyable, evening sitting on the terrace enjoying the events, while I also had my pipe going well. I was told that there are plenty of sports meetings around that district, Stratford, Hawera, Patea, etc., all having splendid grounds and plenty of competitors. There is nothing finer to see than a perfect body, and 1 think that any efforts to make our young people flt deserve all the encouragement we can give. I read once that the Great War was not won in the training camps, but on the playing Held. We do not want another war, where the finest of the race are sacrificed'; but it is the duty of those in authority lo provide the ways and means wherewith our youngpeople can develop their bodies, and by developing the bodies they also develop their minds, thereby building up a strong, virile people. Hamilton is often referred to as an important town, the hub of the Waikato, yet as far as I can see we have not a suitable hall and no grounds where a real sports meeting could be held. I would like to see our city lathers take this matter up.—l am, etc., M.R. Hamilton, July 22.