GYMNASTIC EXHIBITION.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 95, 11 July 1902, Page 3

GYMNASTIC EXHIBITION.

'' On Wednesday evening the. public of Motuekaand surrounding • districts witnessed a novel and j plea si dp - entered nmeUt? given in tbe Institute Hall by members of then (Nelson i Young. hMen’s Institute, assisted by a, number of local vocalists. There was a very good attendance and Hie Worship the Mayor kindly agreed to preside over the ceremonies, j The programme was commenced by Mr Harold Light, an accomplished musician, who played an overture. This was followed by the appearance on the floor of the hall of sixteen performers, who went through a number of evolutions, which were watched with and approbation. Other exhibitions followed, such as dumb-bell, horizontal and parallel bar exercises, the whole concluding with a crocodile march, / which was very amusing. At a later stage of the entertainment the visitors demonstrated their skill in the use of wands, somersaujts off spring board by five of the party, over wooden horse, ami from the floor by members. These exercises were finished on each occasion by pyramidal displays. With reference to the exhibition given by the members of the Nelson Institute we may state that they gave evidence of careful training by the instructors, Messrs R. Cooke and Stephens, and skilfulness and dexterity by the company, Messrs H. Cooke, H. Hurst, P. C. Hurst, Gordon, Jackson, Wood, Oakley, Naylor, Toll, Hall, Creedon, Chapman, Percival, Dixon, Aydon. Mr Light played for all the exercises besidfes giving a pianoforte solo. During the evening a recitation. “The vagrant and his dog,” was given by one of the visitors, Mr Hirst, who rendered it in capital style. Miss Leslie favored the audience with the song, “ Tit for Tat,” which was vociferously encored and iii response “ Douglas Gordon ” was sung. Dr Adams gave “ The Longshore Man,” with acceptance and in response to repeated calls told the audience about a Japanese jappy, who fell in love with a Japanese chappy, both being ever afterwards happy. Miss Mabel Brougham rendered in excellent style the song “Who’s at my window,” which, without question, was the gem of the evening, for with the exception of slight nervousness. at the beginning the song was given in a faultless manner. The audience showed their approval by demanding an encore and in response the last verse of the song was sung. The accompanyists were Mrs F. Symes, who played for Miss Leslie and Dr. Adams ; and Miss G. Gilbert 6 who accompanied Miss Brougham.

At the conclusion of the entertainment the chairman said he felt *sure the audience would agree with him that their Nelson friends merited a hearty vote of thanks, those present signifying their approval by rounds of applause. The entertainment given was most enjoyable and as the whole of the net proceeds are to be handed over for the purpose of starting a similar institution in Motueka, the visitors are certainly deserving of thanks for their generosity. The ai rangements for the exhibition were carried out by Mr S. A. Jennens, the popular secretary and treasurer of the Nelson Institute. Locally, Miss Ruth Deck used her best endeavors to exhibition a success, and we are asked by the secretary to publicly acknowledge their • ndebtedness to her. 1