GYMNASTICS AT SCHOOL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1713, 16 November 1887, Page 3

GYMNASTICS AT SCHOOL

(" Lancet.")

The Honarary Secretary of the National Pbyaical Recreation {Society gave some interesting evidence lately before the Royal Commission on Elementary Education, and it had the advantage over ruuch of the other matter collected by the bedy of being statistical m large meaBuroa. Speaking of the work done by the Liverpool Gymnaßium for the treatment of spinal curvature, he stated that Borne 3000 oases had come under his own observations there, of which 2500 were cases of children between the agea of eight and fourteen years 2090 of these being girls. There can be no doubt we think, that deficient phyical exercise if not tho only or even perhapß chief cause of this common deformity, it is highly calculated to promote it ; and even apart from any specific evil, a well considered and evatematleed plan of training for the muscles is undoubtedly a most valuable regime, and eminently adapted to preaetva and benefit the health. But it is of the highest Importance, m following out this object, to avoid pernlolons exorcises whioh may do irreparable mischief to the growing organs and unbraced body of a child. The followiog instance is very mcch m point : " The caretaker commanded them all (like children of an elementary school) to keep their knees stiff and touch their toes with their hands, and while he kept them m that position he proceeded to give them an impromptu discourse upon the benefit of physical training- When the children rose up you could tell by the hectic color of their cheekß that they ware evidently BufFarlng from palpitation of the heart caused by leaning down m that exlraordiimy position." Equally Bound to us appears the following comparison between the horizontal and the parallel bars : "Inthecaea of the horizontal bar, or anything pendact children naturally jump out and get on their hands together 3 that is a position of contraction ; tha chest is contraced and the shoulders brought forward, unless they have a very pains-taking instructor, who will rmka them widen out their hands and obanga frequent' y, In the case cf the .parallel bars the ordinary position of a ohlld upon it cauaea expansion of the chest ; the very movement of raßtllug I upon the parallel bars is one of expansion, without any teaching whatever,

Forty-two members of the Rifles, under Capt. Dolman, and 3G of the Guards, under Capt. Sparrow, attended last night's parade. Major Douglas was inspecting officer, Captain and Adjutant Fooks, Lieutenants ftluller, Fooks, and Baul, aud Sergt, -Majors Jones and Hayes being also present. The night was too dark for outside work, so that tho drill was not of an extensive character. Before dismissing tbe parado Major Douglaß took occasion to remark on tho slovenly manner m which somo of tho men went through tba sword bayonet exercise, and exhorted them to be more regular m thei^ attendance at Company drills, so that they might become profioient.

Dress imprqv^ (says. ijm exchange} hoje beep pqt to "a fjood mao'y novel and ingenious uses, but an addition was made to the number at Ituthin the other day. The Denbighshire police went out to waylay a gang of notorious poachers, tut were surprised to see $hem return empty-handed. Shortly afterwards three Welsh damsels followed, with a suspicious display of " bustle," which, on investigation, turned out to be due to the presen.ce of 27 rabbits aqc} two long lengths of rabbit netting. The inventor of a garment capable of covering such a multitude of sins has a great deal to acswer for.

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