PHYSICAL WELFARE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 May 1940, Page 8

PHYSICAL WELFARE

RECREATION FOR WOMEN INTEREST IN BOWLS. CAMPAIGN IN PROGRESS. In an interview yesterday, Miss Noeline Thomson. Recreation Officer for the Wellington area, Department of internal Affairs, expressed pleasure with the progress of recreation in the Wairarapa. Following on the support received from the younger group belonging to the Wairarapa Interhouse Association, Miss Thomson stated that a subcommittee representative of women's organisations had been set up to facilitate contact with the organisations to keep them fully informed of the plans of the branch for the development of recreation for women.

“At present a campaign is in progess,” said Miss Thomson, “to stimulate interest in bowls as a summer recreation for women. An early start is necessary to have plans well advanced for the opening of the 1940-41 season. It is of interest to note that Wellington Province has only recently joined the rest of New Zealand in admitting women bowlers as members of clubs by the opening of a combined club at Paraparaumu Beach. Though Invercargill had lady bowlers as early as 1927, and other South Island districts soon followed suit, the movement did not spread to the North Island until the visit of some South Island ladies to Auckland in 1934. The interest grew rapidly in the South Island which now has three ladies centres with a total of 700 members. The North Island has no centres, but 300 players already belong to various clubs, and it is hoped to increase greatly during the coming season. -The Physical Welfare and Recreation Branch is sponsoring this movement as it believes bowls to be an ideal summer recreation for women.

Masterton ladies will welcome the opportunity for such activities as Miss Thomson has made it clear that modern methods in physical education have progressed far beyond the former conception that women's work was just a repetition of army drill. Rhythmic activities and folk dances form a large part of the modern physical programme, and both are within the capacity of every women to perform. It has been suggested that the ladies’ class should follow the junior class each Wednesday evening in the Municipal Hall, the junior class being from 7 to 8 p.m. and the senior group from Bto 9 p.m. Further details will be announced after the committee meeting next Thursday afternoon, at 3 p.m., in the Municipal Buildings. Another subject for discussion will be the commencement of a ladies’ keep fit class and folk dance group, as Miss Thomson has received many requests from women interested in such a class, who realise the importance of keeping fit in preparation for all emergencies, and the need for relaxation from the tension occasioned by modern existence.

“The progressive attitude of the Carterton Bowling Club should commend itself to' other clubs in the district when they are asked to consider permitting the ladies to play,” said Miss Thomson. ‘The Carterton Club has offered the ladies the full use of their green and facilities. This is a wonderful example of co-operation, and an offer that will bring healthful recreation to a larger number of women in the district than ever before at a time when it is needed. The Masterton ladies sub-committee is to discuss the campaign for introducing bowls in Masterton at a special meeting next Thursday. Another matter of vital interest which will also be supported by the ladies’ sub-committee,” said Miss Thomson, ‘is a plan to erect a community centre in Masterton where all sporting and cultural organisations would co-ordinate their activities and thus benefit the community in ways at present impossible on account of the scattered groups and the lack of suitable accommodation for indoor recreation. Every possible group will be invited to co-operate in this project so that Masterton will have a community centre that wifi lead the way to a fuller contribution to civic life in the district.”