SWORDS ACADEMY

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 128, 24 February 1938, Page 4

SWORDS ACADEMY

French Visitors Entertained

A very pleasant and successful evening was held on Tuesday night when the New Zealand Swords Academy met some of the officers of the French cruiser Jeanne d’Arc. Tne academy was led by Mr. Theo Wilson, instructor, and Mr. N. Dickson, club captain, M. Louis de Simard de Pitray, Lieutenant de Vaisseau, leading the French team. The contests were entirely informal, all being arranged as the evening progressed.

The members of the French team were:—Lieutenant de Vaisseau de Pitray, Lieutenant de Vaisseau Celener, Aspirants P. Dennis, H. Sans, J. Carrabin, P. Mayat, G. de Champfleury, M. Espinard. ‘'’The Swords Academy was represented by Miss J. Willis, Messrs. Theo Wilson, N. Dickson, J. Rose, Holderness (of the Wellington Swords Club). Contests were held in foil, epee and sabre. In the “foil” the club were pleased to find themselves able to hold.their own, the points being very even. In the “epee’’ the French teani gave several exhibition bouts, the club being unable to compete. In the sabre duly one bout was held. Mr. Dickson won by 5 points to nil. Thanks are due to the French club and particularly to Dr. 'Keys and Mr. Berendsen, who came at short notice to act as interpreters. The guests were also entertained 'at supper. They were Dr. and Mrs. Keys, Miss Soutar, Mr.-J. E. Berendsen, Mr. Jones (director of the Y.M.C.A.), Miss Keby, Mrs.' Dickson, Miss McKenzie, Mr. S. C. Gurney, Mr. J. Williamson, Mr. J. Feasey, Mr. J. Smith, Mr. A. Jenkins.