Untitled

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1605, 31 August 1916, Page 3

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —1 noticed a complaint in your last issue from a parent in regard to dancing at the school. I a m not concerned with the merits of the particular grievance, but 1 think that every boy and girl should be taught to dance, of course, under correct supervision. To see the shambling gait adopted by our young people is simply disgraceful. The' majortiy of them don’t know how to walk correctly. They don c know what deportment is. If one chances to see a boy or girl vaik correctly from the hips, with shoulders squared and head erect a type of God’s highest creative work —it is called “putting on side.” Physical culture for boys and girls is very essential, and this should go side by side with deportment. 1 know of nothing better than dancing, under an experienced master, for the cultivation of grace and deportment. When I say “dancing, X don’t mean the vulgar contortions of the “larrikin hop.” Correct dancing would obviate the slovenly gait of our boys and girls, and man} local parents would gladly welcome the formation of such a class under a skilled instructor or instructress. ■ —Yours, etc., BOOTLES.