NEEDS OF YOUTH

Waikato Times, Volume 193, Issue 22202, 23 November 1943, Page 2

NEEDS OF YOUTH

PHYSICAL TRAINING WELFARE OFFICER’S REPORT The opinion that Hamilton needed a scheme that would entice boys and girls away from picture theatres, dances and billiard parlours was expressed by Mr T. C. Heard. Physical Welfare Officer, in his report on progress in the area to a meeting of the Hamilton Physical Welfare and Recreation Committee last night. Mr Heard said the scheme would have to be made attractive and the admission fee would have to be maintained at a low level. He suggested that one of the larger halls be set aside and made available to any group that was keen on physical training as an aid to health. It should be furnished with suitable recreation equipment and placed under the charge of a responsible person. Mr Heard mentioned that in the smaller towns in the district he had considerable success, but it was much harder to obtain interested boys and girls in Hamilton. On the motion of the Mayor, Mr H. D. Caro, who occupied the chair, it was decided to seek the permission of the Borough Council to use free of charge the Frankton Town Hall on Monday nights from the beginning of next March to the end of October. Provision For Swimming

The possibility of obtaining large swimming classes for beginners was brought to the meeting’s notice by Mr Heard, who was desirous of obtaining the use of a bath on Saturdays. It was decided to investigate the possibility of securing the use of one of the school baths in the town. It was considered by Mr W. Fraser that swimming in Hamilton would not make much headway until tepid baths were provided. He quoted the examples of Southland and Otago and said there was a need for swimming to continue right through the year and not be confined to what was really a restricted season. As was the case with providing a permanent hall for the physical education classes, the committee could do nothing owing to the lack of finance. Reference was made by Mr Heard in his report to the work of physical officers in fostering recreation among the Air Training Cadets and among the employees of an essential industry. Miss Rona Heap, in her report on the activities in the women’s section, included the instruction given to members of the Women’s War Service Auxiliary, the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps and essential workers.