Brilliant Spectacle

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 304, 15 March 1928, Page 7

Brilliant Spectacle

INTER-HOUSE CARNIVAL AT DOMAIN SPORTS AND MASSED DISPLAY Half the night sky a great dropscene, artd gaunt phantasmal trees in the foreground. White illuminatory floods from searchlights, and a concourse of people. Four hundred girls that would be any nation’s pride, and martial music from massed bands. Ten thousand citizens gathered at the Domain last evening when the Inter-House Girls’ Sports Association put on a memorable display in aid of the city’s unemployed. There was novelty that almost amounted to eeriness in this great display that cheated night of its usual conquest. Pale strings of lights that made a feeble dusk, studded the banks; but the grass arena was flooded with an artificial day. A powerful battery of searchlights from the forts were posted on the banks, and the white, penetrating glare from each was concentrated on the sportsground. At eight o’clock the girls assembled, and the gaily-coloured platoons uniformed in sports costumes of every hue, formed up. A band began to play a martial air, and the parade moved off in column *of fours. Heads erect; arms swinging, and stepping lissomely, the girls filed by. Above the sound of the music came the roar of applause. The crowd decided, properly, too, that the girls were doing well. But as the evening went on, they proved that theirs was not a single stunt display. The physical drill exhibition given by the 400 girls was an inspiring spectacle. Perfect time was kept, and each movement was done with extraordinary unanimity. One second 800 hands would be thrust to the sky, and in the next 800 legs would be jigging merrily to a simple dance tune. Then came marching and countermarching that would have established faith in the wisdom of territorial training ... if any territorial company could have done as well; but it couldn’t. For perfection of military evolution, it would have been difficult to equal the march of the Girls’ Brigade. These ••soldiers,” in traditional uniforms of red. bore arms gracefully. Lined up two-deep, they went through their rifle drill to the accompaniment of band music. It was a fine show. In addition to the display numbers there were several interesting competitions between teams from the various houses, and the shrill cries of "barrackers” spurred teams on to victory. The following are the sports results: Hoop Team Race.—Greer, 1; ilacky Logan, 2; John Court, 3. 75Tds Championship.—First heat: Miss Nelson (Ambler), 1; Miss Prideaux*(John Court), 2; Miss N. Goodwin (George Court.), 3. Second heat: MfSs Maiden (Rendalls), 1; Miss Wilson (Ambler), 2; Miss Munce (John Court), 3. Final. —Miss Nelson (Ambler), 1; Miss

Prideaux (John Court), 2; Miss N. Goodwin (George Court), 3. 200Yds Inter-House Relay Race.—John Court, 1; Ambler. 2; George Court, 3. Overhead and Tunnel Passing Race.— Ambler, 1; Macky Logan, 2; Greer, 3. Leap-Frog Race.—Macky Logan, 1; John Court, 2; Ambler, 3. 50Yds Hurdle Race.—First heat: Miss Prideaux (John Court), 1; Miss Marsh (Ambler), 2; Miss B. Harris (Rendells), 3. Second heat: Miss Elliott (Macky Logan), 1; Miss Boys (Hugh Wright), 2; Miss A. Sharp (Smith and Caughey), 3. Final.—Miss Prideaux (John Court), 1 : Miss Marsh (Ambler), 2; Miss Elliott (Macky Logan), 3. Zig-Zag Ball Passing Race.—George Court, 1; Greer, 2; Berlei, 3. The Sharman Cup was won by Macky Logan, with 11 points, Greer second with 9 points, and Ambler third with t> points. For the most points scored during the carnival Ambler and John Court tied with 17 points each, Macky Logan third with 12 points.