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CONFERENCES OP OFFICERS As the men's conference was the first for five years, it was mainly a refresher courseThe programme included comprehensive instruction in the art of coaching in various games. Attention was also given to the extension of recreational services in rural areas. In addition to the usual refresher work, the women's conference was concerned with some cultural aspects of recreation, such as drama, music, films, Maori rhythmic exercises, and folk-dancing. Staff-training Scheme The first stage in the training of junior officers was taken during the year. Five trainees successfully completed the course, which covers all aspects of physical welfare and recreation. They will soon be helping to relieve the shortage of women officers. Information Service Although staff shortages and printing difficulties are a temporary handicap, some progress was made with this service, which will be very extensive when conditions become favourable for development. Questions from field officers and the general public have been answered satisfactorily. Plans for camp buildings, playground apparatus, and general sporting facilities were supplied to interested organizations. A specialized library for research and use by Physical Welfare Officers is being built up gradually. Courses in Leadership The training of leaders for various groups opens up a very wide field for community service. So far the calls for the officers co-operation have come mainly from churches, in accordance with arrangements made with the Council of Christian Churches. As the result of training courses conducted by the Department's officers for church groups at Auckland, Eotorua, Wanganui, Petone, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Gore, more than a hundred leadership certificates have been awarded. Courses have also been planned for groups in other localities. Much assistance was also given to church leaders' conferences and camps. Grants for Recreation and Physical Training Many clubs, societies, and other organizations received grants under the Physical Welfare and Recreation Act, 1937, for the provision of recreational, cultural, and physical training facilities. The total of allocations for the year was £36,440. The list of beneficiaries includes tennis, cricket, bowling, basketball, yachting, and rowing clubs, committees concerned with community centres and recreation-grounds, local authorities, Boy Scouts and other youth organizations, church groups, and branches of the Y.M.C. A. and Y.W.C.A. The granting of subsidies is contingent on the self-help principle. It is estimated that the result of the pooling of the departmental and local funds has been an increase of more than £lOO,OOO in the value of recreational facilities. Nearly one-half of the total of grants was for recreational grounds such as playing-fields, tennis-courts, and bowling-greens. Group Travel In several districts, particularly Auckland, appreciable help was given in promoting group travel. The main purpose is to assure low-cost touring for folk of moderate means. The Department co-operates with the Tourist Department and with the Group Travel Association, which operates in the South Island. Interhouse Marching Assistance was given to the New Zealand Marching and Recreation Association in the recruiting and coaching of teams and by officers acting as judges and managers and

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