NEW RINK OPENED

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 109, 11 May 1931, Page 4

NEW RINK OPENED

In the presence of-over one hundred people, .the. Glydc Skating Kink in "Wakeneld street was officially opened ou Saturday evening by Mr. "W*. Appleton. Mr. Appleton apologised for the absence of the Mayor-elect, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop. In declaring the rink open, Mr. Appleton said that skating was one of the earliest forms of pastime. In olden days shin bones of animals were bound to'the feet, and'skaters glided over the ice on these by propelling themselves with a spiked stick. Wheeled skates were in use on roads in Holland as fax back as 1770, but it was only after the introduction of the roller skate, which was invented in 1865 by an American, that speed and figure skating "became popular. Mr. Appleton complimented the man-' agement on their enterprise in opening the rink at a time like the present. It was the first of its kind in New Zealand, and the promoters had studied their patrons' wants in every possible way.;.-..G00d healthy exercise should be encouraged, and skating was one of the ! sports-in which everyone could participate., , ,The speaker he was not" one, to go about with a long face and growling about the depression. Bather, he welcomed the continuance of all reasonable activities in the amusement • field. In the present ease work had been found for no less than sixteen persons. V ... . ' ;

••Sir John Luke complimented the management on their enterprise, and suid he agreed with Mr. Appleton that skating was a fino and healthy sport. The new rink is up to date in every way. The- floor is" of bitumen, and is less noisy tliini wood.