ATHLETIC SEASON OPENS

Chronicle (Levin), 7 November 1946, Page 8

ATHLETIC SEASON OPENS

GALA EVENING AT DOMAIN EXCELLENT PROGRAMME If the large crowd which assembled at the Levin Park Domain on Tuesday evening to watch the official opening of the Levin Combined Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club's new season is any indication, the public's support of the future activities of the club is assured. The programme was a varied and interesting one, and had as its climax the ceremonial "burning of the guy" in a vacant section adjacent to uie domain. A colourful procession through the streets of the town preceded the night's activities. Three bands, the Highland Pipe, Levin Municipal and Levin Boys' Band, led detachments of girl guides, brownies, scouts, cubs and St. John Ambulance Brigade. Behind them was the K.B.H. and the Caledonian girls marching teams. The Levin fire engine and a float, on which were posed members of the Achilles Sports Club, were also included. The standard of marching was very high. On arrival at the domain, the procession made a circuit of the oval to the skirl of the pipes of the Horowhenua Highland Band. The K.B.H. marching team found immediate favour with a fine display. The Caledonian marching team followed and, to the accompaniment of the pipe band, gave an exhibition which earned prolonged acclamation for the members of it

A highlight of the evening was a display of Highland dancing by Miss Ruth Judd. This was so well received by the crowd that the club is considering the introduction of that type of item at future meetings. Led by Mr. J. D. McFarlane, the Horowhenua Pipe Band gave a demonstration, which included a drum-major's display. The Boys' Band, under the direction of Mr. M. II. Boyce, followed, a^ter which the Levin Municipal Band rendered popular numbers. The athletic and cycling events, for : which visitors were present from New Plymouth, Wellington, Otaki and Foxton, followed, and although it was the first time this season that most had competed, seve'ral close fmishes'were seen and the times were reasonably good. The results were as follows: — Girls under 14, 50 yards. — N. McMinn 1, P. Lindon 2, S. Parsons 3. . Boys under 14, 50 yards.— First heat: R. Cameron and E. Wiatere 1 (equal) , J. Proctor 3. Second heat: N. Cameron 1, B. Walker 2, E. Hari'ison 3. Third heat: J. Hannan 1, I&. Maher 2, P. Knox 3. Half-mile junior cycle. — Hoffman 1, Williams 2, Ellery 3; time 1-6 4-5 secs. Open 75 yards: Hodges 1, Walker 2, Fdwards 3. Open 50 yards: Lee 1, Honiss 2, Edwards 3. •Senior cycle, two laps: Parker 1, Mathie and Judd 2 (equal) . Ladies' 75 yards: M. Lang 1, M. McClean 2, P. Prendeville 3. Junior cycle, two laps. Williams (Wellington) 1, Ellery 2, Welby 3; time, 1-20 1-10 secs. Open 100 yards: Lee 1, Honiss 2, Brewer 3; time, 10 4-5 secs. Senior cycle, three laps: Hoffman 1, Parker 2, Judd 3; time 2 mins. 3 secs. Open 440 yards: Honiss 1, Brewer 2, Robinson 3. In speaking of the future prosperity of the club, the president, Mr. W. Cribb, said that no sports body could exist without the sup- : port of the public. The first aim of ;the club was to assist the youth of ' ohe town and district, and it was fitting that the opening night should be a benefit to help the three Levin scouts who would be going to the Paris jamboree next year. Mr. Cribb thanked the public for attending and making the night such a success, and especially Mr. J. McFarlane for organising the procession and coaching the marching teams, Messrs. T. F. Wollett and Sons for erecting the platform, Superfintendent W. S. Salmons and the brigadesmen for taking charge of the bonfire, and Mr. E. J. Stanley, his staff and the boys pf the Levin Training Centre for building the bonfire and marking out the track. In concluding, Mr. Cribb apologised on behalf of the club for an oversight in not purchasing any fireworks for the bonfire. The Mayor, Mr. H. B. Burdekin, congratulated the club on the evening 's programme, and said it was fitting that a club which catered for the youth of the town should make its opening night a benefit to the three scouts. Mr. Burdekin said that the Levin Borough Council would do all it could to make facilities available at the domain to assist the club to cater for the youth of the town. In conclusion, Mr. Burdekin said that the club's last season had been most successful and he wished it a more successful one this year.