The Fielding Star, OROUA & KIWITEA COUNTIES GAZETTE. Published Daily. TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1895. GYMNASTIC CLUB.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 239, 9 April 1895, Page 2

The Fielding Star, OROUA & KIWITEA COUNTIES GAZETTE. Published Daily. TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1895. GYMNASTIC CLUB.

Wk nvo ill! ir> eivn that a movement is on f< ot (o form a gymnastic and athletic cl ih in Fei ding, for it is a movement which should meet with full support and the warmest sympathy from all classes of residents both old and young. The object of the proposed club is, primarily, to afford to the young men of the town an opportunity oi exercising their muscles and improving their physique. But it is oot, and should not be held to be, sule'y a young men's matter, nor should the establishment and support of tho institution he allowed ti be dependent solely on the young men's resources. iSuch an institution, established on a broad basis and wisely conducted, should be made one of the most important and useful factors in the social and economic progress of this or any other town. No one taking a stroll through tha streets of Feilding in the evening can fail to observe knots of young men and lads loitering about, evidently oppressed >>y the fact that there is uotbiDg particular for thorn to do. Youth is full of energy, which must find vent in some form or other, aud if there is no safe a»d wbDl&some outlet provide.}, the chances are that this reservoir of muscular strength and animal spirits — so infinitely valuable if directed into

I right courses — will overflow into i irregular channels, an<3, instead e>i proving a blessing, will be a nuisance and a danger to the whole community. The future wealth of the people, and their power to succeed in the h*rn« of life, depend as much on the physical and moral training of the rising generation as they do upon their mental education ; and it does, on reflection, seem absurd to spend half a million a year on the latter object, aud to pay I no heed to muscular development and to provide no antidote to the innumerable temptations which surround young people in towns who have to kill time during the long evening hours. Young men will congregate together ; congenial companionship is a necessity of youthful life ; and whether that companionship shall result in larrikinism or in united effort for what is useful and right largely depends upon whether provision is made for innocent enjoyment and wholesome occupation of the hours of leisure, or whether these young people are allowed to drift into miechie', simply for want of something better to do. If the City Fathers, corporate and individual, fail in their duty to assist in providing suitable j exercise and recreation for these young > muscles and brains, we know by experience that another " Old Gentleman," who exercises great influence in wrong directions, will step in an( * find some undesirable work for their idle hands to do.