Lecture on Athletics.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 245, 19 April 1895, Page 2

Lecture on Athletics.

♦ An interesting lecture was given in the Assembly Rooms lasii evening by Dr. Hutchison, of Taranaki, the subject being " Athletics and bodily training considered in their bearing on personal and national well being." The Mayor (Mr W. A. Sandilands) occupied the chair, and in a few words introduced the Doctor to the audience, which, unfortunately was rather a small one. This subject is one which the lecturer has close at heart, and being in a position, as he is, to observe the immense amount of good which the human frame derives from indulgence in athletic exercises, be takes pleasure in conveying his intelligence to the rising generation. Dr. Hutchinson has with him a large number of photographs of statues from the Vatican Capitoline Museums (Rome) which include some of the most famous of antiquity, and also of (living men, chiefly New Zealanders, for the purpose of showing the effects 'of different exercises on the body. These photos are all the works of Dr. Hutchinson. The lecturer treated his subject at considerable length, touching on the great physical strength and beauty of the Spartans of Greece, the Swiss and other races, and their modes of developing the body and mind. He thought New Zealanders should adopt similar methods, as by so doing they would become strong and vigorous in body and mind. Ho spoke of the good effect which would be derived from indulgence in various games such as wrestling, sprinting, boxing, etc., and the proper diet to be used when in training. He would advocate the hearty encouragement of football, and pointed out the benefit to be derived from military training. lie hoped that the movement on foot in Feilding to introduce a gymnasium club would be successfully carried out. Some such institution was badly needed. What they wanted was nofc a mere gymnasium shed but a club which would be a kind of social centre. He earnestly hoped that some of the suggestions which he had macle would be carried out with good effect in Feilding, and at some future time he would meet them all again in a gymnasium here. Dr. Hutchinson concluded a long and interesting lecture by thanking those present for their attendance. Ms \V. B. Giesen proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Dr. Hutchinson for his kindness in coming so far to lecture to them, and he hoped his remarks | would stir up the energy of the young fellows and bring the gymnasium club to a successful issue. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the meeting.