CHURCH GYMNASIUM

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 809, 1 November 1929, Page 13

CHURCH GYMNASIUM

KEEPING BOYS OFF THE STREETS HOLY SEPULCHRE DISPLAY ! To keep boys off! the streets and to | make them physically fit, are the aims ! of the Holy Sepulchre Boys' GymnasJ tic Class which staged its annual disI Play in St. Sepulchre’s Parish Hall j last evening. ; The Rev. Gordon Bell, chairman of the entertainment, explained to a Sun representative that the class, formed originally in April. 1928, as a part of the church’s Bible Class activities, had grown from a membership of 12 boys to one of 45. At the same time it had expanded so as to be open to boys and young men from any part of the city and of any denomination. ALL-ROUND DEVELOPMENT “It is really an adjunct to the spiritual life of the church,” said Mr. Bell. “Our aims are to give an all-round development but not forgetting the spiritual side. We regard the gymnastic class as a medium for attracting boys and young men to the church, thus lessening the adverse influence of the Streets and giving us an opportunity to combine a little spiritual work with the physical.” Mr. Bell added that Mr. R. Anderson, the class instructor, was doing valuable work voluntarily and had achieved great results. The church is indebted to the Y.M.C.A. for help and encouragement, and in particular to Mr. F. Rogers, the Y.M.C.A. physical instructor. Mr. Anderson said that the members of the class ranged in age from nine to 21 years. The tx*a ini ng consisted of gymnastics and physical exercises and the boys were very keen. “I have had considerable experience in this sort of work, but I have never seen a keener lot of boys,” he stated. Children of parents who could not afford to pay large fees were able to get their gymnastic and physical training in the Holy Sepulchre class at very moderate rates. Juniors were charged a penny a night and seniors threepence. Assisted by the Onehunga Congregational and Edendale Baptist boys, the class gave an excellent display of marching, drill, tumbling, Roman ring work, vaulting, and other gymnastics. Incidental music was provided by the “O —O” Orchestra under Mrs. Van Heck.