THAT GYMNASIUM

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 149, 1 September 1941, Page 4

THAT GYMNASIUM

Sir, —Two of your readers have lost no time in getting into print to take poor old "B. Tuff"' to task because he had the boldness to question the need for a gymnasium in Whakatane. However, "B. Tuff" is still of the opinion that people— young, middlo-aged, and of both sexes—can keep pretty fit by working whenever possible, walking as much as possible, and running (i£ they, are still youthful). Your two correspondents do not appear to have successfully glossed over what everyone knows, namely, that it Is Dnly the very fit go to gymnasiums to loop tW lbop on ropes and twist themselves into contortions over rings and bars. Such folk do not need physical salvation, any more than the very good folk who do go to church need to be Urged to seek spiritual salvation. The citizens who are bulging at the wrong places and have flabby muscles are not likely to. rush the proposed gymnasium in a mass attack. No, I fear they will stayv at homo while the few local athletes do stunts in the gymnasium instead of expending elboAV grease in such directions as chopping the firewood for mother or digging the garden. Perhaps I" really am as wrong as your two correspondents say I am. All right then, I shall wait and see what does happen about that gymnasium. If they are in earnest they will by now have called a public meeting or something t like that, und will by next week have their gymnasium going hot and strong. But you go along, Mr.Editor, and if my prophesy is not right, that the toiling office and factory workers who cannot get exercise are conspicuous by their absence., ilso have a look outside the building to see how many of the enthusiasts have parked, their cars bikes there instead of walking. Itt conclusion, I repeat: Let us get on with the war effort and work and subscribe to National Savings, rather than waste our time and money on a gymnasium for the idle rich. Yours etc.. TUFF.