PHYSICAL DRILL.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 83, 8 April 1911, Page 3

PHYSICAL DRILL.

WITH OR WITHOUT APPLIANCES. MORE VIEWS. The subject of physical training with-oot-appliances for school children (other than cadets) was discussed by the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Teachers' Institute last night. Some time since Major T. W. M'Donald, Commandant of the Cadets, wrote to -the Education Boards, urging that appliances are unnecessary, and the letter was referred" to the Teachers' Institute by the Wellington Board for its, opinion. Mr. G. Flux (president) occupied the chair. The chairman- read Major M'Donal-d's letter (which has already been published), and said the. matter was an import- \ ant one, and one on which there was a division of opinion. To some extent the .management of schools would be affected, especially in regard to the suggestion that' teachers should assemble for instruction during the first week after the end of the summer holiday. He could not see how dumbbells and clubs would have an injurious effect on the children using them. If, however, it was proved 'that apparatus was objectionable they should do without it; in any case, the. teachers would have to do what the board ordered them, but' they had to thank ihe board for its courtesy in allowing- the institute to discuss the matter. He read a letter from Mr. Yeats, of the Hutt 'District High School, urging that the use of appliances such as clubs was beneficial, and went on to urge that if it was wrong to use apparatus it was not the teachers who were to blame*; they had simply carried out the regulations. Mr. E. H. Ballachey moved a motion that the institute thank the .board for referring to it Major M'Donald's scheme. This was agreed to on the voices. Mr. Ballachey spoke in favour of light apparatus, such as c&bs: and dumbbells, which, he thought, resulted in no-strain. The children liked them, and he was quite certain that there was no waste of time involved in their use. He agreed with classes for physical drill for teachers, but they must be sure* that the instructors were qualified to impart that instruction. He moved — "That thisinstitute is of opinion that it is not' desirable to abandon the use of such" simple apparatus as is at present used in our schools, but is wholly in accord with the proposal to form classes for the instruction of teachers 'in physical drill, provided the board has submitted to it satisfactory evidence that the proposed instructors are qualified- to teach the subject efficiently." Miss Bright moved the adjournment of the discussion in order that the question might be considered by a more representative meeting. (There were only twelve members present.) Mr. Watson thought that in the limited time available the children could get all the exercise they wanted without. ; apparatus. He fancied that in most of the schools it would be somewhat a relief to get rid of clubs and dumbbells. Eventually the proposal to adjourn the consideration of tbe question to the | 19th inst. was carried.