PARADE OF YOUTH

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20738, 23 February 1939, Page 15

PARADE OF YOUTH

CARNIVAL AT NIGHT SPORT IN FLOODLIGHTING PHYSICAL FITNESS DISPLAY SPECTACULAR AND SUCCESSFUL Bathed in the flood of ten powerful lights and crowded with about 2500 spectators, Hinemoa Park last night became the venue of one of the greatest rallies of the town's youth, when the first floodlight carnival in the district's history was held to mark Physical Fitness Week. Keynote of the fixture was the outstanding physique of hundreds of Hamiltonians who paraded in the -glorification of fit ness which, together with the encouragement. of sport, was the fundamental aim of the carnival. Big fields in the athletic events raced out into the dark until they became silhouetted on being picked up by the beam of the next light. On they raced in keen competition until features became distinct in the powerful light which illuminated the straight. Appeal of Night Sports •Cyclists provided many a thrill for the large crowd. Wheelmen were having their first experience of night riding and conditions were -strange, but illuminated they rode well touring close finishes to excite the spectators. To competitors and spectators night competition brought an immediate appeal. The curtain for Hamilton’s first floodlight carnival rose on a scene in the main street where a large procession of athletes and sportsmen of various codes filed to Hinemoa Park. Kerbs were crowded with hundreds of people anxious to catch the first glimpse of the display. The procession was led by the Waikato Regimental and Hamilton Municipal Band, and then followed a troupe from the YjM.C.A. Several girls’ basketball teams from the indoor competition were next in order in front of the New Zealand Herd Testing Sports Club parade. Athletes, bearing banners of encouragement to sportsmen, followed as the rearguard of the first section of the procession. The Hamilton Citizens’ Band led the neatly-at tired Y.W.-C.A. troupe, the Dairy Sports Club and the St. Andrew’s Tennis Chib (Cambridge) in the van of the Girl Guides and Hamilton Cycle Club, to form the second section, the rear of which was brought up by the Hamilton Pipe Band whose picturesque uniform blended more coloht into the parade. Opened by the Mayor At the park the carnival was opened by the Mayor of Hamilton, Mr H_ D. Caro. “Physical FTtnese Week is, briefly, for the purpose of improving the physi-cal and mental health of the community through greater physical recreation,” said Mr Caro. ‘'The year 1939 should be a wonderful period for physical fitness in New Zealand, for we are on the eve of making the people of the 'Dominion physically fit. “We call on all the young people.” added the Mayor, “to join some sports body so that they may become physically fit and prepared to meet what may come in the future. Join up now to make Physical Fitness Week a reality. We ask you all, young and old. to put your hearts and souls into making New Zealand a physically fit nation.” To open the attractive programme, the children of all the primarjr schools in ‘Hamilton gave displays of folkdancing and later in the night engaged in ball games. One of the highlights of the show was the attractive display of physical drill by members of the Y.W.C.A., who typified the ideals of true physical fitness. As a spectacle the display was rivalled only by an exhibition of gymnastics by a -troupe from the Y.M.G.A. The exhibition of quickstep marching by the three bands was excellent and a high standard of efficiency was reached. The standard quickstep march is 120 paces in 100 yards within 60 seconds. The Hamilton Citizens’ Band gave a fine display in covering the distance in 119 paces in 62 1-5 seconds, while the Regimental Band also performed well to take 126 paces in 63 seconds. Of undoubted appeal was -the rhythmic display of fancy marching by the Caledonian Band. The sight of an athlete catapulting Into the dark to come down in a flood of light made the pole vault the most attractive of the field events. The excellent response which the public of Hamilton accorded the fixture can be judged from the gatetakings, which reached £93 15s. Results were:— Athletic Events 100 Yards Junior.—First heat: Kelly 1, Cranstoun 2, Vale 3; time 10 4-ss. Second heat: Crozier 1, Cliell 2, Buckingham 3; time 10 2-ss. Final: K. Chell and R. Buckingham (deadheat) 1, Cranstoun 3; time 10 4-ss. 100 Yards Open.—ll. Parsons 1, R. B. Joyes 2, J. Bartlett 3. Time 10 75 Yards, Women.—Miss Buckingham 1, Miss Page 2, Miss Trenbarth 3 Time 8 2-ss. 1000 Yards.—E. K. Trow I, C. C. Fiesst 2, L. D. Irwin 3. Time, 2m 21s. 220 Yards Hurdles.—First heat: K. Jacka 1, Joyes 2; time 25 4-ss. Second heat: J. Bartlett 1. K. Chell 2: time 25 4-ss. Final: Jacka t, Bartlett 2. .Joyes 3; time 24 4-ss. Pole Vault.—.l. Alker I. J. Ferguson 2, L. M. Seed 3. Height. I Oft lin. Both Alker and Ferguson jumped 10ft lin., but Alker won bv 1 fault to 2. 880 Yards Junior.—L. Kosoof l, B. Buckingham 2, B. Aherd 3; time 2.10 1-5. 220 Yards Open.—First heat: C. G Goosman !. R. Buckingham 2. K. i;hell 3: time 2 1 3-ss. Second heat: K. Ruston t, J. Bartlett 2. E. Wapp 3; lime 22 l-ss. Final: Goosman 1