PUBLIC SCHOOL ATHLETICS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8145, 21 May 1906, Page 5

PUBLIC SCHOOL ATHLETICS.

(To the Editor). Sir,—At the present time discussion is fairly rife od the subject of professional and amateur sport, so perhaps It will not be inopportune to say a word in favour of athletics in our Publio Schools. What I would suggest is that the question of establishing a Publio Schools Athletic Association should be given some consideration by all those interested in the youth of the rising generation. Associations such as I suggest are, I believe, already in existence in various parts of the Colony, and, I understand, have proved in each case a great success. At the last meeting of the North Canterbury Public Schools Amateur Athletio Association upwards of 3,000 competitors took part in the various events, and the affair, which occupied a whole Saturday, was a phenomenal success, both financial and otherwise. These gatherings have become extremely popular wherever instituted, and it has ooourred to me that there is plenty of room to establish a similar scholars' carnival in this district. In addition to the ordinary stereotyped programme might be added such events as dumbbells and club exercises, cadet evolutions, etc., for the boys, while for the girls, who are also catered for, oould be incluAd wand exerolses, skipping etc. ' The Masterton School has somewhere about 900 scholars, and those in authority might be induced to at least give the soheme a trial, when 1 venture to predict that their efforts would be attended with unqualified suocess. Trusting the above subject will not be lest sight of, and that some of oar local amateur ohampionß may come forward to assist in a cause that they themselves are so ulosely associated with.—l am, eto., "ADVANCE ATHLETICS." .Masterton, May 19th, 1906.