SHAKING OF FISTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 8, 10 July 1939, Page 11

SHAKING OF FISTS

WELLINGTON WANTS IT

PART OF IRISH JIG

Opposition to a ban on the use of the shillelagh, and on the shaking of fists in the Irish jig, is expressed by the Wellington Centre of the Piping and Dancing Association of New Zealand in its annual report, which, says that the centre is taking steps to have reversed a decision of the New Zealand association prohibiting such actions. The question of grading pipers throughout the centre was discussed during the year, and the executive had taken preliminary step: in the matter. It had secured information as to the performances of the various pipers on the boards during the past year, and would shortly grade all the pipers for the coming season. The list of the gradings would be supplied to all affiliated sports bodies and all pipers would lie informed of their respective gradings. "A matter of great importance to all competitors in national dancing and piping was discussed recently by the executive. It was a proposal to hold a championship gathering in Wellington during the Centennial Exhibition period. Preliminary steps have taken in the matter, and it is h"oped that the proposal will come to fruition. Never before in the history of piping and dancing has a championship gathering been held in any one centre in New Zealand, and it is trusted that the venture will receive the support of every piping and dancing enthusiast throughout Nw Zealand. It is possible that the propped gathering will be held in January next." Three new organisations affiliated with the centre during the year—the Business Girls' Inter house Association (Palmerston North), Feilding Caledonian Pipe Band (Inc.), and the Scotch Thistle Society of Palmerston North. The number of affiliations was now thirteen. Permits to hold national dancing and piping competitions were issued to twenty organisations. A large number of Dominion championships were competed for at various sports gatherings, these being allotted by the Dominion Council at the request of the organisations concerned with- the hearty support of the centre. The registration of competitors had gone on apace during the year, a greater number being registered than in the previous year. The total registered for the past season was 145. In order to come into more direct touch with the various affiliated sports bodies in the centre, the executive during the past year held its meetings alternately at Masterton, Palmerston North, and Wellington.