GYMNASTIC COMPETITION.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1229, 11 February 1878, Page 3

GYMNASTIC COMPETITION.

The Board of Education has from a very early period of the history of our educational system recognised the great value of gymnastic exercises, under proper supervision, forming part of the teaching. Ou Saturday the results of the year’s work in this direction was tested by a competition under the superintendence of Mr J. Q. Walker, the drill instructor, which took place iu the gymnasium attached to the Normal School. Before giving the result of the competition in the various classes a brief description of the gymnasium, which perhaps is one of the most complete of its kind in the colony, will be interesting. The building is 73 x 23, with concrete door, upon which is laid one foot of tan. The walls are 16ft. high, with a dado 9ft. running round the room. The apparatus is very complete, and has all been specially manufactured under the personal supervision of Mr Walker. Beginning at the southern end are two slanting poles for climbing, a horizontal bar for lads, and a shifting horizontal beam 10ft. long. Next in order is the incline plank suspended from the wall by a short ladder made to raise or lower as required, and the shifting platform about 3ft. square, the exercises on which vary from easy to very

difficult. Beyond this again is the ladder plank 16ft. high, so arranged that the learner may climb by this, land on the stage, and descend by the incline plank ; on the opposite side of the room are two incline ladders suspended at the top. The bottom ends being shod with iron and fitted into sockets, may be altered to give a maximum breadth of 16ft. Next is the vaulting bar, made to run in grooves so that it can be shifted from 4ft, to 6ft. 6in. On the left is a fixed set of parallel bars, another set fixed in sockets and made to shift from 3ft. Gin, to sft., and a high horizontal bar for adults. Ret urning to the other side of the room we find an eccentric ladder, sft, horizontal, then a rise of 18in. in the next sft,, then a gradual slope of 14ft. continued to the floor. The exercises on this apparatus are very useful and varied. Close by are three climbing ropes, 16 feet high, with an iron bar at the top. In a line with the climbing ropes are four vertical poles, 16 feet high. In the centre of the room are suspended two flying trapezes, a set of Roman

rings, and a double trapeze. At the north end, fronting the boxing and fencing platform, ia a landing stage connected with the trapeze and Homan rings. The boxing and fencing platform is 10 x 26, with a railing rnnning along the front of it. In one corner of the platform is the lavatory, supplied from tanks overhead and fitted with every convenience. Around the platform is arranged the apparatus for boxing, fencing, &c. Amongst the apparatus in the gymnasium may be noticed an invention of. Mr Walker, called n safety belt. Tins is constructed of strong webbing, buckles round the waist, and is fitted with ropes on either side, working in swivel rings. In doing a difficult exercise for the first tripe, the learner puts on this belt, and is held oh both sides by means ox the ropes. Should he slip while doing the exercise there is no . fear of his receiving any damage, as the ropes hold him up. There are also Indian clubs of various sizes, bar bells, shifting jump-

ing standards, &c. Tfce competition on Saturday included %ee op for ih&tyPWi Wf? W

students attending Mr Howard’s training classes at the Normal JJSchool, and one ,for boys. In the two first classes three prizes were awarded, and in the second four, two being for progress. There were tv fluty competitors in all, the exercises being on the horizontal and parallel bars, climbing _ the parallel ladders, &c. - The various competit ors displayed much dexterity, the boys especially so. The attendance of spectators was good, and included many ladies, Tiie mode of awarding the prizes was by marks, the maximum for each exercise—o( which there were four to each description being six. At the close of the competition the prizes were awarded. The prize list is as follows : runt TEACHERS. N ’3 if g Name. £| | | 3 w3g 3 « £ Sadding, Colombo road ... 26 23 2 94 9 694 Gelling, East Christchurch 224 19 6 -84 104 664 Hardy, Colombo road ... 234 214 84 84 9 654 .STUDENTS, Mayo, Normal School ... 25 24 5 11 8 73 Biimie, Normal School ... 24 224 5 104 104 724 Cnmbei'worth, Normal S. .. 11* 214 0 9 74 6» BOYS. Lee, Normal School ... 264 164 8 94 0 62 Craddock, E. Christchurch 214 18 8 9 0 594 England, Colombo void ... 244 164 8 84 0 674 Hull, Normal School ... 26 144 8 74 0 56 * Retired, The boys did not compete on the rings. The prizes, therefore, are taken ae follows :—Teachers —Ist, Suckling; 2nd, Gelling; 3rd, Hardy. Students—lst, Mayo; 2nd, Binnie; 3rd, Oumberworth. Boys—lst, Lee; 2nd, Craddock ; Ist progress prize, England ; 2nd do., Hall.