Marching Championships A Brilliant Success

Chronicle (Levin), 8 March 1949, Page 2

Marching Championships A Brilliant Success

Any 'doubts that may have existed in the minds of the promoters as to the marching mindedness of the residents of Otaki . and district were effectively dispe'led on Saturday, when the first marching championships were presented. The Otaki domain has been the scene of a great deal of activity in recent weeks, but those who should know cannot remember a previous occasion when such a vast crowd has been in; attendance. j Fortune smiled on the effort and the sun shone incessantly, ' with a gentle breeze to temper the heat an'd make conditions absolutely ideal for those takipg part. The public had been promised something diiferent. The scene was a unique one indeed, with the varying colours of the "modern army of marching girls" and those of the three bands all playing their part in making the setting mos-t picturesque an'd highly attractive. 'Early in the day the ground was the centre of great aotivity, and the public was treated to some thrilling displays of marching. The display commenced .promptly to time, with the Horowhenua Pipe Band leading a grand march past of all teams, the salute being taken by Lieut.-Colonel G. O'Leary, O.B.E., with the Mayor of Otaki, Mr. C. F. Atmore, in support. The Nation al Anthem followed, .played by the Otaki Brass Band, after which Mr. H. N. Fearnley extended the good wishes of the promoters to all the visiting teams and their supporters, to the ju'dges and bandsmen and to the general public. He trusted all would have an enjoyable day. - , Mr. Atmore welcomed all who were taking part and congratulated the girls on the high standard of marching seen in the -march past. He confessed, as a returned serviceman, that his efforts could not compare with what he had already seen. Amidst applause, Mr. Atmore thanked all for coming to Otaki, "where the sun always shines." Displays by four junior an'd 15: senior teams followed, and it was evident that the task of the judges would be by no means an easy one. The enthusiasm of the public never waned and, when the displays had been conclu'ded, officials had a difficult moment or two in trying to clear a space to enable the many valuable trophies to be presented. Prior to announcing the results, the president of the Otaki Marching Sub-Association, Mr. R. Bills, offered the thanks of his combined committee of parents of the two local teams to the thousand and one willing workers who ha'd all played their part in making the occasion possible. Cheers were called for and heartily given, after which the speaker called on the Mayoress, Dr. E. G. Atmore to present the trophies. Dr. Atmore congratu^ated each recipient, wishing both leaders and team members further successes, and thanked them for their contribution to the success of Otaki's first display. Extra highlights were .providedj in the presentation of a massed. serpentine march, a display which | reflected the greatest credit on the marshal and all taking part, the selections played by the Wellington Waterside Junior Ban'd, Horowhenua Pipe Band and Otaki

Brass Band. The services of the latter band in the community are all too often taken for granted. jDn this day of days the local band really excelle'd itself and seldom if ever has it been heard to better advantage. This commentary would not be complete without tribute to the sterling organising ability of the marshal, Mr. H. N. Fearnley, and his assistant, Mr. V. Bertlesen. The lion's share of the work of preparing the ground prior to the day fell to these two stalwart supporters of the marching movement in Otaki. Added to this, Mr. Fearnley saw to it that the feature events of the 'day, the marching displays and the serpentine, were run off without a fault, and in between all this work, he fielded the two local teams. The successes recorded by them were a tribute to his abi'ity. Behind the scenes were a score or more equally willing helpers. Mesdames Mather an'd Wilkinson, conveners of the two ladies' committees formed to control the catering for the day and night functions, left no stone unturned to provide for the complete satisfaction of the assciation's visitors. In the recorders' tent there were also two "sil'ent workers" to whom

the promoters are indebte'd, MisseS Dulcie Taylor and Dorothy Crowley. The announcer, Mr. J. J. Meldrum, of Wellington, had early won favour with the crowd- for his able coverage of events, and it was unfortunate that a fault developed, this toeing the only trouble in an otherwise outstandingly successfiil presentation. Success Continued The good fortune which attend'e'd the display in the afternoon held in the dance at Manakau at night, when the floor was packed. The success of this fuuction ex-

ceeded all expectations, and the takings were a record. An enjoyable time was spent, many of the visiting teams being in attendance, as were .bandsmen >who had helped throughout the day. Mr. C. Pussell, busy on the tiomain in the daytime, had an even tousier time at night as M.C. and carried out his duties in a very capa'ble manner. Novelty dances were won by members of the Silver Arrow team, by Misses Valerie Bqggs and Shirley Smith and by Miss D. 'Bills and partner.