FREE GYMNASTICS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1088, 29 March 1911, Page 3

FREE GYMNASTICS.

BOARD TO CONSULT THE TEAC'IIEIiS. At the _ February meeting of the Wellington I'ducation J3onvtl certain proposals submitted by .Major T. H. Jl'l/onald, Commander of uie Junior Cadets with reference to the substitution of a system of free gymnastics lor the existing system of physical drill (dumb-bells, poles, riile drill, etc.) were deferred lor a month to enable members to l'uliy consider them. When tho matter came before the board nt its meeting yesterday, Mr. Hogg moved that the suggestions bo adopted by the board. The system was a great improvement on previous systems, and possessed the special advantage of Deing suited to children of nil ages. The motion was seconded by the chairman (Mr. liobert Loe), who said that recent investigations on the subject went to sho'.v thai: some of the previously accepted ideas in physical training had been mistakes. Major-General Godley, tho Commandant of the New Zealand. Forces, who had recently come out from Home, had given, tho suggested system his approval. Mr. William Allan did not think that tho suggestions should be adopted until the board had ascertained the minds of the leachers on tho subject. Ho mover! as an amendment that the proposals :,e lel'eircil 'to tho Teachers' Institute for consideration. It was only right, lie contended, that in these matters between the Defence Department and the schools, the board ought to confer v.'ith the headmasters. This spirit of militarism was liable to cause friction if caro were not' exercised. Mr. J. G. W. Ait ken seconded the amendment, pro forma. Mr. lee pointed out that the board's inspectors had already, .given their approval to the suggestions, and ho apprehended that thc-y should have n fairly good idea of the teachers' views 011 tho subject. Mr. Hogg. characterised Mr. Allan's amendment as a piece of "well-devised obstruction." The question was , before tho board at its last meeting; why, if it was thought to bo necessary, did not Mr. Allan suggest a reference to the Institute then? If they were to carry Air. Allan's suggestion to its logical eonelu--sion, the matter should next be referred la tho school' committees, then to tic parents, and so on. Mr. Allan replied that 110 had no thought of needlessly obstructing the proposals. lie .had discussed them with several of tho headmasters, who had complained that they had not been consulted. "The Kducatiiin Department not consult the headmasters when t prej.ajcs its syllabus." commented Mr. T i'c. The amendment: was then put ami <!>iried by three votes to two, there being only an attendance of five iiienbws of that stago of the Hireling.