LARRIKINISM.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1459, 7 April 1873, Page 3

LARRIKINISM.

The question of providing amusements for street boys as a remedy for larrikimsm was brought under the notice of the Victorian Parliament by a notice placed on the paper by Mr Vale. In speaking to ihe motion Mr Vpie said: — "Since he had put the notice on the paper he had observed in the Peoples Magazine an article on the subject contributed by the clerk of the Queen's Executive Council, than whom no gentleman had taken a greater interest in the amelioration of the condition of the people. He, Mr Vale, desired to crll the attention of the Government to the fact that out of over a thousand common schools not more than six were provided with apropergymnasium. He had been led to put the question because it was within the power of the Minister of Lauds from departmental votes to have these gymnasiums erected, as he proposed. With regard to the objection that (he larrikin element would destroy them he might point to the instance of the Victoria Park, in London, where free cricket grounds and gymnasiums had been established with complete success. He thought that a gymnasium might be erected as a test in one of the public gardens surrounded by a large population. The Hon. Mr Cosey said there was

and

no doubt that thojeatablishment of gym-; "usiunis had been a chief means adopted by the . Prussian ; f Government for; jtha physical training of ,the people, arid fliat within the last 30 or 40 years it had pro-; duced a surprising result. There was no doubtthaisuctiameahsshould beenlpldyed by c vei/ Government fiat undeilook the physical and : intellectual- encouragenient of the people.. He. was 'informed that thero was a gymnasium 'in r ' connection with all the public schools inihe Colony j and instructions had been given to pro-i vide the Industrial . Schools with them also. ; He- must "' c'orif ess that ; he did not consider the public reserves the pro-: per place to. puji; gymnasiums Jn, but the matter was worthy of consideration, and would be considered during the recess. :