Marching Season Officially Closed in Levin

Chronicle (Levin), 19 April 1948, Page 4

Marching Season Officially Closed in Levin

Yesterd&y afternoon marked the close of the marching seasoh in Levin, when the Horowhenua Asso- ■* ciation, in co-operation with the Municipal and Highland Pipe Bands, pr.esented a programme of marching interspersed with sacred musie. . * Visiting teams, Young Comrades (Wanganui), Rebels (Petone) and Bandoliers (Otaki), -in conjunction with the local teams, took part in a march past beaded by the pipe band, the Mayor,' Mr. H. B, Burdekiri, and the acting-president of the associatioii, Mr. W. R. Jack, taking the saliite, following which ihe Municipal Band rendered the National Anthem. This was followed by the hymn, "Abide With* Me,".'played by the pipe," band The Mayor, who was introduced by Mr. W. R. -Jack, welcomed the yisiting teams and extended grateful thanks " to " those citizens who had come forward to billet them. "Today's function, in aid of the .two bands, exemplifies the spiritof the Marching Association's goodWill, both here in Levin 'and right throughout New Zealand, and it speaks volumes for the wonderful work being done for young womanhood that these teams should come here to assist today. I am sorry it has n'ot been a full season owing to tlie infantile paralysis restrictions, but it is to be hoped that next season will have a good start and be a more successful one," continued Mr. Burdekin. "I must thank" the public for' turning out' in such large numbers. It gives confidence to the teams when they. know citizens are interested 1 " in their activities." In conclusion, Mr. Burdekin congratulated the winners at the Bulls contest on1 Saturday, and also the Caledonian team, who werb only one point behind them. During the afternoon a collection was taken. up by officials of the association, which resulted in the, magnificept sum of £14 12s 8£d B'ein'g raised for the two bands. The outstanding highlight of the afternoon was the display by the * "Young Comrades," Wanganui. This was their first appearance in Levin since joining the N.Z. Marching ahd Recreation Association, and although the public has been treated to some excellent exhibitions by leading teams since the formation of the local asJbciation, yesterday's display by this young team cojnpletely captivated the large crowd: The display, which takes 15 minutes to perform, was a credit to their coach Mr. A. Chambers and yet a larger- credit tp the leader and her team members, who per- • formed their various evolutions and turns, 159 in all, with clockwork precision and snap. MaceSwinging by the leader. Beverley Chambers, was greeted ' with applause, ' and there were many present who wondered if she was going to catch it when she tossed it in the air on different occasions. To remember so many different' movements, and then finish the exhibition with a Maori haka of welcome, shows just how keen these young people are in their recreation.?'. . At' the conclusion Mr. Burdekin and Mr. Jack personally congratulated Beverley on her team's fine performance. The team was again seen later in the afternoon in a demonstration of their contest march. "Young Comrades'' also gave a demonstration at Bulls on .Saturday and created a very favourable impression. At Bulls the Horowhenua Pipe Band played for the team while at Levin the Municipal Band played for them. The other teams also gave displays, Rebels, ^Bandoliers, Caledonian and Macduffs performing the contest march, while K.B.H. gave a marching display which met with much applause. The Pipe Band and Caledonian also treated the public to a combined demonstration. Hymns by the Municipal Band interspersed on the programme added to the enjoyment of the afternoon, and made the gathering well worth attending.