SPORTS GALA ON DOMAIN

Chronicle (Levin), 23 December 1946, Page 4

SPORTS GALA ON DOMAIN

Marching Association Holds Big Display national dancing popular Over a thousand' people were present at the Levin Park Domain on Saturday evening to witness the displays by Judd's ' (Pahiatua) , K.B.H. and Caledonian girls1 marching teams, assisted by the Levin Combined Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club, Horowhenua Scottish Society, Horowhenua Highland Pipe Band and Levin Municipal Band. Owing to unforeseen circumstances the Levin Boys' Band was unable to be present. The programme was kept moving, and spectators had something of interest to hold their attention right from the start. The commencement saw a march around the oval by the three teams of girls. headed by the Horowhenua Highland Pipe Band, Judd's, the as^ociation's visitors, holding pride of place as the leading team. This was followed by a full display by the visitors to music supplied by the Municipal Band. This item brought forth applause from an appreciative audience, which watched the different movements performed snappily and with excellent precision. At intervals during the evening the two local teams, K.B.H. and Caledonian,- gave displays singly as well as combined, and that they have not lost popularity with the public was demonstrated at the close of each item, the teams being on their toes and making the best performances to date. The highhght of the evening was a slow march by the combined teams and the Horowhenua Pipe Band, this being ' the first occasion that it had been attempted in New Zealand. It was well performed and reflects great credit on the teams' coach, Mr. J. Macfarlane, as well as the leaders of the two teams. -Judd's entertained with another display, which once again proved popular with the public. The standard of marching by all teams was very high. The Pahiatua girls were full of praise for the local teams, and expressed a hope to see them at competitions in the near future. The National dancing events were a welcome addition to the programme, and it is to be hoped now that classes for this type of dancing have commenced in Levin, more of these competitions will be seen upon future occasions, as the applause which greeted each entrant showed that this diversion was fully appreciated by the pubic, as also was an exhibition dance. gracefully performed by Miss L. Hepworth, of Palmerston North, who took the honours in the Highland fling (open). The association 's thanks are due to Miss Barbara Evans, of Palmerston North, who kindly consented to judge the competitions, while special thanks are due to Mr. J. A. Goodwin and his I stewards, Mr. T. R. Hall and Mrs. W. jSwan, who were responsible for the success of this part of th e programme.

Athletic and cycling events were keenly contested, the cycling races proving exceedingly popular with the large number present. Competitors were present from the whole of the Horowhenua district, as well as Wellington, while the. Boys' Training Centre was represented by several keen and first class athletes, Finishes were exceedingly close in all events, while the finish of the three-mile cycle demonstrated that the club has in Mr. J. H. Cooper one of the best handicappei\s in the West Coast Centre. In this race the scratch men gradually made up t ground at each lap, and passing the j stand prior to the last lap they had drawn up to the leaders. Over the | last lap a fine tussle ensued, with iParker gaining the verdict from Hoffman and Mathie in 7.37-2/5. Honiss gave a fine performance in the 100 yards senior for men, cutting the distance out in 10 secs. dead. This performer also tied with Edwards in the high jump, the bar being at 4 feet 10 inches. The marching teams relay was another popular event, K.B.H. being first with Caledonian and Judd's second and third respectively. Prior to calling on Mr. F. E. Parker, the Deputy Mayor, to present the trophies, Mr. R. Murray, president of the association, apologised for the absence of the Mayor (Mr. H. B. Burdekin), who had a prior engagement. Mr. Murray also explained that the Caledonian team, having two leaders, the association had decided to present leaders trophies to both of them. The reason this team had two leaders was that when the teams staged. a combined display, Miss Shirley Smith, one of the leaders, took charge of the two teams, with the result -that she had to have a coleader to take her place, Before presenting the trophies, Mr. Parker complimented the association on the fine evening's -ntertainment provided, and on behalf of the association thanked all who had combined to make "It 'evening such a success. Mr. Parker then presented gold medals to Misses S. Smith and A. Nichol, coleaders of the Caledonian team, and silver medals to Misses Shilton, Paterson (2), Dwyer/Malcolm, Jack, Mjlis, Stewart, Williams and Young. A gold medal was presented to Miss L. Hepworth, winner of the qpen Highland fling, while silver medals were presented to Jack Learmonth, wi'nner "of the Highland fling (10 years and under), Miss Vema Fenton, sean truibhas (12 years and under) and V. M&ultsaid, Irish jig (16 years and under). Silver medais were also presented to the senior cyclist gaining the mbst points, Mr. Mathie, while the junior cyclists' award went to D. Smith and the senior and junior athletes

to A. Lee and D. Foster. Mr. Parker congratulated all the recipents upon being successful in winning the awards. The programme was brought to a close with the playing of "Silent Night," "Come all ye Faithful" and "The King" by the Levin Municipal band, members of the girls' marching teams joining in and singlng these numbers. Supper was served by the parents' eommlttee to the visitors, and afi those taking part,. jn the Century •'Hall; which had, been kindly lent for the occasion. S// • - Results of th"e Various events run during the evenirig are'as follows:' — National Dancing Highland fling, 10 years and under. — Jack Learmonth 1, Parnell Hodgson 2. Irish jig, 16 years and under. — V. Maultsaici 1, J. Learmonth 2, Maureen Baker 3. Highland fling (open) . — L. Hep worth 1, V. Maultsaid 2, V. Fenton 3. Sean Truibhas, 12 years and under. — Verna Fenton 1, Maureen Baker 2, Jack Learmonth 3. Atliletics and Cycling Half-mile senior cycle: Mathie 1, Hurley 2, Hoffman 3; time, 1 min. 3 4-5 S6CS. Boys' 75 yards: Maher 1, Cameron 2, Perigo 3; time, 9 1-2 secs. Girls' 75 yards: N. McMinn 1, J. Curtis 2, P. Sciascia 3; time, 10 1-4 secs. Junior men, 100 yards: W. Foster 1, Merwood 2, Honiss 3; time, 10 4-5 secs. Senior men, 100 yards: Honiss 1, Tracey 2,T>. Foster 3; time, 10 secs. - Half-mile junior cycle: Smith Ellery 2, .Welby -3; time, 1 min. 7 4-5 secs. Men's high jump: Honiss and Edwards dead heated at 4ft. 10 ins. Junior open 220 yards: Honiss 1, Hakaraia 2, W. Foster 3; time, 25 4-5 secs. Senior open 220 yards: Lee 1, D. Foster 2, Sadler 3; time, 25 secs. One mile senior cycle: T. Mathie 1, Hoffman 2, Parker 3; time, 2 min. 16 3-5 secs. Senior open 880 yards: Goodwin 1, Henley 2; time, 2 mins. 9 2-5 secs. Junior 880 yards: Tracey 1, Sadler 2, Robinson 3; time, 2 mins. 10 secs. One mile junior cycle: J. Brown 1, Smith 2, Ellery 3; time, 2 mins. 23 secs. Three mile senior cycle: Parker 1, Hoffman 2, Mathie 3; time, 7 mins. 37 2-5 secs. Marching team relay: K.B.H. 1, Caledonian 2, Judd's 3.