PHYSICAL CULTURE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 127, 21 January 1932, Page 6

PHYSICAL CULTURE

ACTIVITIES OF ROTORUA GYMNASTIC CLUB BOYS' AND GIRLS' CLASSES An organisation whose activities are little known in Rotorua and yet which is an active body functioning twice a week is the Rotorua Gymnastic Club, whose rooms are in the Sylvana Cabaret. The first occasion on which the club appeared in public to give a demonstration of its work was in the procession on New Year's Eve when, by their excellent display, they carried off one of the first prizes. Although the club works quietly, it has a strong membership, including 3£ girls and 25 boys and much excellent 'work is done. All forms of physical exercises are carried out in a well organised manner under the direction of qualified instruetors and instructresses. The exercises are standard throughout the Dominion and are approved by the medical profession as being the best from the point of view of physical culture. The object of the clnb is to build up the body, strengthen it, maintain it in good physique and health, improve poise and balance, and to provide a means of amusement for the evenings. In addition to its present members the club is always glad- to welcome more, and it is hoped in time to attract the sympathy and help of all the residents in Rotorua with the object of encouraging them to include a training in physical culture as part of the schooling for their children. The club, however, is not confined to the younger generation and people of all ages are. invited to become members. Among the members of the executive committee are two medical men, Dr. H. Bertram (president) and Dr. S. H. Hay (vice-president), so that intending members may he sure that the exercises carried out are soundly devised. The gymnasium itself has plenty of space, probably more than a great many others in the Dominion, and it is fully equipped with all the modern appliances for successful training. Out of the money received from prizes at the New Year carnival the club is installing a boxing ring, but at present _ finances are not strong enough to permit of making the. ring complete and the hope is expressed by the secretary, Mr. A. Syers, that other assistance will be given so that this new addition to the club's \ activities may be installed as soon ' as possible. Among the exercises and sports already being carried out are physical drill, including club swinging, skipping, exercises on the horizontal bar and on the ropes, wrestling and boxing, and all this work is done nnder qualified instruetors so that the utmost benefit may he derived from each section of the work. The members at present treat these. exercises' as a recreation and appar to enjoy every minute sepnt in the gymnasium. The new year's operatjons oomI menced on Tuesday with the girls' night and this evening the men will start their new season. An invitation is extended to parents and the public generally to attend any of the club nights to see the work in progress, and it is hoped that citizens will avail themselves of this.