Sessional_Paper_1930 — Page 62

I have already put these points before the Kowloon Residents' association to get their views, and they were unanimous in their support to such a scheme.

Showing the popularity of tennis in three important clubs, viz: the Hong Kong Cricket Club, Kowloon Cricket Club, and Kowloon Football Club the secondary game of tennis is played by probably more members than the name sport of the particular club, and I submit that the sporting instinct, the spirit of playing the game would be immensely developed by providing public facilities for a game which can be played by both sexes, a development with benefits out of all proportion to the expenditure.

E. COCK

APPENDIX IX.

A SUGGESTION FOR THE USE OF SMALL AREAS IN

HONG KONG AS PLAYGROUNDS.

In these days it is unnecessary to emphasize the importance of games, and of pro- viding playing facilities for as many of the population as possible.

In Hong Kong, until recent years, 'playing fields' connoted areas large enough for cricket or football: 'grounds' were at least large enough for one tennis court.

It has been demonstrated, however, that areas even smaller than a tennis court may be used to good purpose for certain games, such as volley ball and basket ball, and that these games are suitable for general play. They are interesting to players and watchers, foster a team spirit, and are conducive to mental alertness.

At the Chinese Y.M.C.A., Bridges Street, a small ground (60′ × 80′) has been used for these games for sixteen years with good results. Every year during the period more than 1.000 boys, from 10 to 15 different schools, have made use of this ground, under supervision, at stated periods. In other places even smaller grounds have been similarly used.

Several of the larger schools now use the small areas about their buildings for organised play, but many smaller institutions have no plot of ground at all. If a few areas, in both Hong Kong and Kowloon, could be found and allocated for this purpose, provision could be made for the boys in the smaller private schools, and for a consider- able number of street boys as well. A beginning should be made with a few plots only, say, two in Hong Kong and two in Kowloon.

The following scheme is suggested for the management of these grounds :--

1. That a 'Small Playing Grounds Association' be formed, to provide equip- ment and to control any grounds that might be allotted to it, either for temporary or permanent use. One such central control is important. as overlapping in appeals to a community is objectionable and should be ob- viated.

2. As adequate supervision is essential if small grounds are to be used satis- factorily, the Association should employ a Supervisor of Play. In some cities in the West, where there are many such playgrounds, the supervisor has several assistants. In other places, he gets all his help from volunteers. I believe playgrounds in Hong Kong could be supervised by one employed man and voluntary assistants. A school or club will sometimes supply all necessary volunteer help for a small ground in its neighbourhood.

Many cities have grounds for smaller children équipped with apparatus, such as swings, see-saws etc., but these grounds require more supervision and are unsuitable for Hong Kong at present.

J. L. MCPHERSON.