RECREATION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 84, 6 November 1939, Page 8

RECREATION

VALUE OF COMMUNITY CLUB GAMES

The Physical Welfare and Recreation Branch has drawn up a scheme of deA'clopment for the guidance of the Physical Welfare and Recreation Committers throughout Ncav Zealand, and in this the need for Community Club Rooms is emphasised. There is an American city which conducts an Adult Recreation Project. The supervisor of its Community Games Di\ r ision makes some interesting remarks. "After live and one half years of experience in conducting community game rooms, Ave are convinced that the value of cards and other indoor games in our modern recreation has been almost completely overlooked. When Ave read recreation reports from departments all 0A r cr the country avc find much space and high praise deAoted to so-called cultural arts, but it is quite evident the majority of our recreation heads froAvn on the loaalv game room as n desirable form of recreation. General Appeal. "Yet anyone aa*lio has Avatched the growth of game rooms for cards, draughts, chess and table tennis, cannot help but realise that this form of recreation makes a definite contribution to the daily liA r es of our community people. There is, perhaps, no other phase of recreation that has the general appeal to all age groups and to people from all walks of life. Contact Between Classes. "The contract bridge groups are not organised as classes, but one period of the CA'ening is devoted to instructions. The instructor usually giA'es a half-hour lecture, using a blackboard to illustrate points, and then dcA'otes the rest of the eA r ening to play. "The field is a cosmopolitan one, giving enjojmicnt to people from all walks of life. Among the professional people Avho A r isit our rooms are prominent doctors, lawyers, dentists and leaders in. the field of education. Others arc salesmen, chauffeurs, office Avorkers, labourers, tradesmen, houseA\iA r es, maids, waitresses, and even recreation AA r orkcrs. In the game room the barriers are down and the groups join in the spirit of fun unconscious of their class distinctions. Chambermaids play cards with doctors, and mrver hesitate in censuring their opponents or partners for transgressing the laws of the game: Avaitresses feel free to claim the revokes on those who profess to know the laAv; the so-called meek houseAvife rises to bcr might and demonstrates that taking care of babies is not her only accomplishment. Limitations of Arts. "Consider this as compared to other forms of non-physical recreations, and name one ihat has a more general appeal. Drama draws from all walks of life but is limited to those who are niterested in play acting, stage craft, or playwriting: the orchestra appeals to those aalio are musically inclined: arts and crafts to those AA'ho AA'isli to use their hands in making useful articles for the home or for sale. The game room with its variety of card games, chess, draughts and table tennis, appeals to the Avhole community because it is a place to play.'*