PHYSICAL TRAINING HALL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 154, 12 September 1941, Page 4

PHYSICAL TRAINING HALL

Sir, —I read in Monday's BEACON of the good work being accomplished by the local Home Guard- members who meet in the Winter Show Building for physical drill. I am unable to come along myself, owing to old age, but I make this suggestion for what it is worth. I suggest that all concerned agree to a change of the name of the Show Building to something like "the Whakatane Gymnasium," the "Physical ' the Home Guard or even "The Arsenal" or "the Armoury." Well-, why not? It seems that the Winter Show Association uses the building for one> Aveek Qnly in the year, and for the other 51 weeks the place is devoted to Home Guard training and such like. I am told that when the local Gymnasium Club gets going properly it will hold its fitness classes in the Show Building. There really is a lot in giving a place a good name. Perhaps our Winter Show Association would have no objection to onr Home Guard or Gymnasium Club (or whoever is going to use the building) putting up a good temporary sign with "Gymnasium," "Fitness Centre," "The Citadel" or "'Defence Headquarters" hiding for 51 weeks the wotrds Winter Show Association, or whatever is there. It is only a minor matter but one in which citizens could show that they want to encourage the men who are giving their time to defence purposes. This is a serious business, and I think our local defence organisations should have their claim acknowledged to a headquarters, at ieast for the 51 weeks when the Winter Show is not held. I trust my idea will give no offence, but will just set people thinking. Yours etc., OLD RESIDENT.