PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2120, 11 April 1914, Page 11

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

ADDRESS TO LADY TEACHERS. ! Lady teachers of tho Wellington Education District to the number of about 230, who have just concluded a course of instruction in tho new system of physical education, were addressed in the Sydney Street Schoolroom on Thursday afternoon by the Hon. Jas. Allen (Minister of Education). Tho Minister eaid that when tho scheme was introduced it mado no provision.for girls, hut something waa now being done in this direction. Ho looked forward to a great improvement in the physical condition of tho bays and girls in tho schools as well as of the teachers. The scheme was capable of constant improvement, and it would bo , part of tho duty of. the Director (Mr. T. Royd Garlick) to see that New Zealand did not lag behind any part of tho world in this respect. He hoped that the teachers would help to make tho scheme not only a matter of physical training, but a means for tho general improvement, even the moral improvement, of tho children in the schools, ~

Onb object of the. physical training scheme was to benefit children who were afflicted with various ailments. Tho Department had medical inspectors—h<> hoped there would soon be more—and their work was now being classified. He expected to find that there were -certain conditions that could bo dealt with by' physical training, and drills. Ivo step would bo taken except by consultation with, competent medical men, but ho felt sure that' there would bo good results! ■ •.' Mr. Allen concluded, by congratulating the teachers, and said that he hoped they had had a good time and had appreciated the efforts of their instructors.' (Applause.) . Members'of the class of lady' teachers which has' been undcrgoine instruction during the past fortnight in tho New Century Hall, assembled on Thursday to express appreciation of tho manner in which their instructress (Miss Blaekbunift) had performed her sufficiently arduous duties. Miss E. Williams, Miss Dowdeswell. an«l Miss l< mlayson, on. behalf of tho class, spoke gratefully of the painstaking and considerate manner in which Miss Blackburn© had carried on tho work of instruction, and asked her to accept a present: of flowers, any more valuable present boing prohibited by tho rules of the Service. .:"•' . • Wednesday was visitors day at the New Century Hall, and Squad "D" gave '■a most' i'ufeVesting perfonnanco _ of various kinds of exercises, marching, dancing steps,'and. games. Afterwards thoy entertained their guests with afternon a dance, distinguished by several' original features, finally ' ter-' rhinated proceodingn. In every way the teachers appear "to haiTe enjoyed their course of training, and thoy speak enthusiastically, of their instructrcs6eß and their methods.'