GIRLS' MARCHING TEAMS

Chronicle (Levin), 7 December 1946, Page 3

GIRLS' MARCHING TEAMS

ENTH U SI AST1C MEETING HELD A very large attenclancc oi interested persons gathcrcd in thc sup-pe-r room of the Druicls' Hall on Weclncsday evening to discuss the formation of girls' marcliing teams in this town. The town clerk (Mr. J. T. Bovis) presided and outlined the objects of the meeting. He said that the sport of marehing was becoming very popular " throughout the whole of New Zealand, and just recently an association had been

formed in this district to foster the sport. Mr. Bovis then introdueed five members of the Horo whenua Marehing Association, who had come from Levin to outline the objects of the association and give full information as to the formation of teams in Shannon. The first speaker was Mr. J. MacFarlane, the coach of the two teams at present operating in Levin, and a man who has taken a great interest in marehing over the whoie of the country. Mr. MacFarlane spoke for some considerable time, during which he outlined fully the aims and objects of marehing teams and the benefits the girls would derive from the health and recreation point of view, as well as the spirit of competition and team work. Following Mr MacFarlane. Mr. R. Murray, president oi the associa- ! Lion, pointed out exactly what the association was doing to fosj ter tne sport in the district, what i financial arrangements had been j made and the assistance the associ- ! ation would give to help every other I sports body in the district. 1 After these two gentlemen had resumed their seats, Mr. Bovis asked what the general feeling was ; among the girls present, and called ;for a show of hands of all those who would join in forming teams in Shannon.

: The girls were 100 per cent behind i the idea, and it was agreed that a committee be set up to go into the formation of teams. The following officers were elected: — President: Mr. T. S. Downes; secretary: Miss M. Clough; committee: Messrs. N. Birch, J. T. Bovis, Misse.s ; J. Pigott, N. Peach, P. Small, R. ! Birss, H. Gardner, G. Chester, P. i Gunning, with power to add. j Followmg a discussion on the i proposed display by the Levin j beams and the Horowhenua Pipe Band, to be held in Shannon on Saturday evening, it was agreed that the display should be of 45 minutes' duration at the domain, but prior to 7 p.m. the teams would | form up neaf' 'the '"Bank ' of 'New | Zealand and march through the ! town to the domain, arriving there | in time to start the display at 7 ! p.m. j The . meeting felt that anothi r publie meeting should be called I after the publie had had an oppor - ; tunity to witness the. display, and it was agreed that a meeting womd be held in the supper room of the Druids' Hall at 7.15 p.m. on Mon[clay evening, when it is expccted that a large gathering would bc present. The meeting eoncluded with a hearty vote oi tlranks to Messrs. J. MacFarlane, R. Murray, A. Dobson W. Marks and D. Convery, the members of the Horovvheniia Marehing Association, wlio had so kindly attended tlie meeting • to help organise teams in Shannon. Following the meeting, cach member was surrounded by a grorp of young lad.ies anxious to know more about marehing, and it was not until Mr. MacFarlane formed a squad of nine in the hall and gave them a demonstration of some of the early trainui g. that they were able to leave the hall. The enthusiasm of the girls i; , very heartening to those who are Jorganising the venture m Shaninon, and it is expected that there | will be little t.rouble in* forming at jleast two local teams. A generoiu jgesture on the part of Mr. Ned Birch in ofTering to spousor a teari added. to the cnl.husiasm of the girls. _________