PHYSICAL CULTURE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4424, 7 June 1922, Page 1

PHYSICAL CULTURE.

LECTURE BY DOMINION DIRECTOR. TRAINING THE YOUNG. PROFITABLE DAY AT PAEROA. As being the most convenient centre, Paeroa was selected by the Education Board to assemble the teachers of the Goldfields and surrounding district to attend a lecture given by Mr- H. E. Longworth, Chief Physical Instructor of the Education Department, on Thursday last. 'About eighty teachers attended, their schools being closed for the occasion. A most useful, day was spent, and there can be little doubt that the instruction received by the teachers will be of great use to them in the course of their duties. Mr. Longworth, who wa.s accompanied by Mr. A. N. Rush, Instructor ' for the Auckland district, explained 1 that his object in holding meetings o!; j teachers throughout the Dominion i was to appeal, through their wellI known and true spirit of citizenship, i for an extra effort to improve the 1 physique of those entrusted to their care. He pointed out that very, serious responsibilities rest upon the j shoulders of teachers in this dinec- > tion, and that the schoolmaster wields an enormous influence not only upon the child's mental aspect of life, but also upon his physical well-being. The two cannot be dissociated, and each is dependent upon the other. To sacrifice the proper development of the body for the <le velopment of the Intellect, to neglect matters physical in order to promote matters intellectual, is pot the way that leads to good citizenship. A sound mind in a sound body is the only logical aim of true education. Far too many of our scholars, enter theip after-school life with bodies and physique insufficiently trained to meet the strain that will be put upon ' them. No matter how intelligent or how industrious a young person may be, no matter how anxious to do his best in the walk of life that awaits him, he fails perforce to fulfil the duties he fain would accomplish uh- | less .he has physical training equal in proportion to that of his mind. I HABITS OF HEALTH. I The remedy to a very great extent rests with the teachers. To train the.-.r scholars to habits of health should be their first, aim. A sad picture is that which shows scores, of young folk .bending, too long in uncomfortable and therefore. unnatural 1 att’tudes oven their desks, ip an atmosprere too often vitiated, worrying j away pt their work, while the remedy, a fewiriihutes’ refreshment outside in the open air, awaits them. Discipline would not suffer from frequent fresh air rests, nor would the quality, of the school work deteriorate. On

the contrary, discipline- would improve because of the healthier and more agile body, and school work would become easier and difficulties more easily overcome, because of the more alert and active mind resulting from clearer lungs apd cleaner blood. That these results can be attained has been proven up to the hilt by those who have adopted thorough and judicious physical training, results which invariably produce happier scholars, clearer intellects, and better, far better, citizens than those whose complete training has been neglected. The schoolmaster who looks upon physical education merely as an adjunct to, and not as part of, and a vitally important part of, the school currimulum, is fast becoming a “back number” in the service, whereas he who studies the matter as it should be studied, who adopts not only the letter but also' the spirit of the regulations, finds that his work gives far more pleasure, both to his scholars and to himself, and, what is of. much greater, importance, finds the value of his efforts in the cause of education becomes increased to an incalculable degree. Details both theoretical and practical wore dealt with by the lecturer in a manner which could not fail to convince his audience Of the vital necessity for concentrating serious thought and whole-hearted energies upop the matter in hand. VOTE OF THANKS. After questions had been answered and further explanations given by the lecturer, the teachers accorded him a very sincere vote of thanks, and showed by their enthusiasm that not only the lecture itself, but also the sincerity of purpose and the high ideals which obviously inspire Mr. Longworth in the able fulfilment of his mission, had influenced them ta su'ic an extent that those who were at one time indifferent were now arouse'd, the half-hearted were encouraged, and the enthusiastic justified. Regret was expressed that more frequent lectures of the same kind, providing opportunities for further explanation and demonstrations, and giving further advice, could not be arranged by the Department,