PIPING AND DANCING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 48, 25 January 1938, Page 12

PIPING AND DANCING

THE WELLLINGTON CENTRE. MEETING AT PALMERSTON NORTH. A meeting of the executive of the Wellington centre of the Piping and Dancing Association of New Zealand was held at Palmerston North on Saturday evening, when there were present Messrs C. Stewart, senr. (in the chair), A. Barclay, C. Stewart, junr. (Wellington), Alasdair McDonald, V. J. Nicholson, (Palmerston North), T. S. Arcus (Carterton), R. J. Glasgow (Turakina) and M. Gray Nasmith (secretary). Applications for affiliation to the centre were received from the Wairoa Comity A. and P. Society, Turakina Caledonian Society, Martinborougli Amateur Athletic and Horse Sports Club, Wellington Caledonian Society, Rangitikei Scots Society, and Ofoua Downs Sports Club.—The applications were granted. Permits to hold competitions were issued to the following societies: Turakina Caledonian Society, January 29; Horowhenua A. and P. Society, January 29; Wairoa County A. and P. Society, February 2; Rangitikei Scots Society, February 5; A. and P. Association, February 16; Oroua Downs Sports Club, February 26. The secretary reported that the Dominion Counci] of the association had allocated the following championships to be competed for at the various gatherings: Turakina Caledonian Society. January 29: North Island championship for march playing, all comers, any age; North Island championship fling, all comers, 14 years and under 16 years, boys and girls; New Zealand championship sword dance, all comers, 16 years of age and over, males ' and females. Rangitikei Scots Society, February 6: North Island championship lament playing, all comers. Oroua Downs Sports Club, February 26: North Island championship Highland reel, all comers, any age or sex. ' The secretary stated that the registration of competitors was proceeding apace. He pointed out that unregistered competitors would not be allowed to compete at any gathering. It was further resolved to point out that competitors taking part in a gathering for which no permit had been granted would be disqualified and liable to be debarred from again competing at any registered gathering. The matter of issuing certificates of competency for teachers of piping and national dancing was discussed, and it was decided to recommend to the association that teachers who desire to secure such a certificate shall apply direct to the association, which shall use its discretion in granting such application. Some further additions to the list of Dominion judges of piping and dancing were considered and recommended to the Dominion Council. The matter of holding a tap dance amongst the national dances at a recent gathering was brought up, and was considered that such a practice should be discouraged. When tap dances were introduced on a programme the gatheirng lost its Scottish atmosphere. The question of holding regular monthly meetings was discussed and it was resolved that the secretary call meetings when he deemed necessary.