FITNESS WEEK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 50, 1 March 1939, Page 10

FITNESS WEEK

DEMONSTRATION ON MARTON PARK (Own Correspondent). MARTON, Feb. 28. Perfect weather has been experienced for Fitness Week in Marton and for the display and demonstration on the Marton Park on Saturday afternoon a summer's day made it most pleasant for those who attended. The attendance of the general public was most disappointing, however, and to those organisations who had, from their displays, spirit a great deal of time and trouble it must have been very discouraging to see such a small attendance. If Fitness Week is to be an annual event the Marton public will have to give it their help and support by attending functions arranged for their entertainment and interest. The display opened with an excellent entertainment by the Maori Girls’ College in action songs and poi dances. Fifty girls, all dressed in school costume, gracefully swinging long pois and short pois in the brilliant sunshine and singing in unison, was splendid opening for the function.

Huntly School followed with a team of boys attired in gym. costumes in a display of physical drill. The boys, under the direction of Mr. Rix-Trott, gave an excellent example of fitness and their bearing and steadiness was remarked on by many. The Boy Scouts, in demonstrating their camp craft, set to business and soon had a tent erected, and fire burning merrily, with flagpole made on the spot raised. A series of scouting games followed, including a display of quarter staffs. Their item closed with flag break and they rapidly showed how camp is broken and packed up. The final display was arranged by the Marton Fire Brigade and Marton St. John Ambulance. A tall tower had been erected in the centre of the Park which was arranged to represent a house. Smoke was noticed pouring from an upstairs “window.” The alarm was immediately given and the local fire-fighters were rushed to the fire on the brigade’s engine, which, by the way, ,uas spick and span. As the brigade passed the ambulance “alarm” whistle was also given by an officer of Ihe ambulance and two stretcher teams were hurried to the fire. "Horrified” spectators noticed a figure jump from a window upstairs, but il was found that there was another person higher up. The firemen soon had three leads out and a ladder was run up to the top where a gallant rescue was made, but the “patient” was overcome with smoke and gas poisoning and collapsed on reaching the ground. The ambulance men had by this time taken charge of the fire injuries and were treating them well away from the burning building, which the firemen had well under control. This being + he final item, the firemen smartly “packed up” and the afternoon’s entertainment closed. A commentary on the afternoon’s display was ably given by Mr. Dashwood. who acted as marshal, and to whom thanks are due for his help. MARTON CIVIC THEATRE GLADYS GEORGE IN “MADAME X.” “Madame X,” with the greater facilities available to the screen, now becomes an impressive motion picture coming to the Civic Theatre this afternoon and evening, and Thursday evening. In the title role you will see Gladys George who scored in the same part on the stage and last year won a nomination for the Academy Award for her role in “Valiant is the Word or Carrie.” The heroic young son

who defends his mother is portrayed by John Beal, just awarded a longterm contract by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Warren William, who recently scored with Jeanette MacDonald in “The Firefly,” is cast as Miss George's husband. Also prominently cast are Reginald Owen, Willian Henry, Henry Daniell, Phillip Reed, Lynne Carver and Emma Dunn.