A WORD IN SEASON.

Shannon News, 5 April 1928, Page 3

A WORD IN SEASON.

PLEASANT DANCES—SOMETIMES

SPOILED.

The social evening time of the year is now coming on, when young men and maids love to gather to ‘ ‘ trip the light fantastic toe," and have a good time in joyous good fellowship. The young people of the several towns and country settlements of Horowhenua have from the earliest times enjoyed the pleasure .of meeting together in this way, sometimes riding long distances for a dance in some settler’s barn, cleared for the occasion, a concertina, accordeon, or perchance a rara avis in che form of a fiddler or a pianist being captured for the occasion. In more modern days, halls have sprung up everywhere, motor cars have annihilated distance, and first-class musicians are always available —a great advance. In one respect, a very regrettable one, there s deterioration (says the Otaki “Mail"). There are young men of the present day, only a few, iuckily, who cannot do anything without taking “a spot." Occasionally they become so “spotty" that they arc not lit to associate with any company, but still manage to obtain entry to a social dance, whera they are absolute nuisances. There are a few of this class who take flasks to dances and get others to “take a spot," and any girl dancing with them is disgusted with the foul bdour of their liquorladen breath. The girls endure this discomfort rather than make a scene, especially as some of these offenders against good tas?te and thought for the enjoyment of others are really nice fellows. There are some, the worst kind, who have “spotted" so freely before or soon after arrival at a dance that fhey are au absolute incubus and spoil the' enjoyment of everyone else. They should of course be denied entrance, or if their condition is objectionable after their entrance, should, be quickly but effectually invited to leave, and indulge in their “spots" somewhere else. Again there is the difficulty that they are ordinarily good fellows, known to everyone, and no one cares to do the right thing and dismiss them from the company they are disturbing. This is entirely mistaken consideration. IJ such young' men foolishly disqualify themselves by bad. manners or bad habits from being in docent company, they should receive a sharp lesson by being barred out. This is a matter that all committees in charge of social dances, should take firmly in hand. They would only need to act decisively once or twice, and there would be no further trouble as possible offenders would know what to expect if .they failed to act up to the ordinary gentlemanly standard of good conduct. We have been urged to ventilate this subject by several young ladies who enjoy dancing, and mothers who like their young people to meet in. good company for a pleasant evening and who strongly resent such being spoiled by young fellows who can do nothing without a “spot," and who “spot"' until they are unfit for any other company than their own. “Clean sport" is an Otaki slogan, and “clean dances" should be the watchword of all committees who aro in charge of social functions. “Protect the girls," is another motto that should have ■weight bud it is. to be hoped that from the start of this dancing season committee: and all concerned, will have sufficient strength 'of mind to firmly put down r he growing custom of “spotting" at dances and deny entrance to them ot any who are under the influence of the habit, without fear or favour, or respect of person.