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Hokitika Guardian, 31 March 1928, Page 2

The budding athletes in action on Cass Square this week on the occasion ■if the State School Sports, was quite an inspiring spectacle. The Rector and staff had a strenuous four hours disposing of the numerous well-lilled events, hut with excellent organisation and discipline, all was carried through and there was not a dull moment. The scholars entered into the spirit of the occasion whole-licartcdlv. and it was a very vigorous youth which expressed itself so vociferously, and not a single competitor went iinchccred. It was a happy idea to determine the result by group teams. This brought every section of the school into the fray, and each and all could do their part, inwards the final placings bv individual success in the competitive items. The sports and games were carried through with unflagging interest, and spectators fortunate in being present had an engrossing time as several events were being contested simultaneously, there being such a wealth of competitors, ft was an afternoon of unrestrained joy for the scholars, and their pleasure seemed to lie infections, for teachers and public alike seemed to take much pleasure also from the progress of events. The gathering was a credit to all concerned. Athletics are now taking a more prominent part in the development of the nation. The socalled weaker sex has been given a place, and all round the world young women have opportunities to show their prowess in all classes of outdoor sport. In flie coming Olympiad at Amtordam, the women section will he a very notable part of the programme. To emulate in field sports and games there must he a beginning, and a commencement in youthful school days is a good time to start, dust as the rising generation showed lately how they arc excelling in swimming, so on Wednesday last there was ample demonstration of possibilities in other fields of kind sport- hv the budding citizens of to-morrow. An excellent showing was made in several of the competitions, heightened as it was by the vigor and interest with which the several events were contested. All strove to excel in the right sort of spirit, and certainly there was no lack of encouragement from the onlookers. The afternoon was pleasurable, and commendable from every point of view, and all connected with the function are to lie i omplimonted and congrntidatod on the success, Gatherings of the nature reflerrod to give evidence of the vigor and stamina of the race. Taking a line from the occasion referred to, it may he concluded that there is not any deterioration going on here. On the contrary, there should he an improving standard in the general health and stability of the rising generation as a result of the cultivation of a liking for outdoor sports of an athletic character.