DRILL AND DANCING

Evening Star, Issue 19198, 15 March 1926, Page 4

DRILL AND DANCING

BY ORGANISED SCHOOLS A SPECTACULAR DISPLAY There was a very largo attendance of the general public at the Exhibition sports ground on Saturday afternoon to witness the combined public school and Training College display ot drill, exci cises, and dancing. From a public point of view the demonstration was more than spectacular, and hearty rounds of applause greeted each organised movement. , In all about 3,000 school children and about 250 Training College _ students took part in the demonstration miner the organisation of Mr F. >*• «• Cree, Southland physical instructor to the Department of Education. Mr Crco bad associated with him Messrs G. Swan, W. Ritchie, H. M'Quccn, and D. Forsyth. ' , . ... The inarching of tho primary children in the maze proved more than spectacular. Tho children converged gsom "all corners of the ground and ©arched with precision and accuracy. She instructions for the various movemeats ■were given through loud speakeis kindly lent by Mr O’Connell, of the ,Western Electric Company. With the use of the loud speakers Mr Cree’s work was made very easy, and each mo\o mont was carried out with an accuracy only,seen among the well-trained crack drill regiments. , . The girl students of tho Training College then went through a programme of old English folk dances, accompanied fcy specially-arranged music played by the St. Kilda Band. This proved most attractive, and the general public were absolutely unstinted in their generous applause. At the conclusion of tho dancing display Mr Cree took over both the young ladies and the young men of the Training College in drill and exercises, and the combination of gymnasium costume of tbc ladies and jhorts and singlets of the young men proved very effective. The drill movements were carried out with mechanical precision, and reflected great credit upon the organising ability of the instructors. Tho English folk dances were carried out under the personal supervision of Miss J. N. Dickson, and the assistance given by tho St. Kilda Band merited special thanks. . The success of the whole function was in a great measure duo to tho cooperation of the teachers, and also to the keen spirit displayed by the children in their work. Messrs M‘Lean (secretary High School Board; and Carrington (chief clerk, Education Board) wore in charge of the transmission of the children to and from town to the ground. _ The arrangements went without a hitch, and to these two gentlemen a large measure of tho success of the function should be accorded. _Mr A. P. Roydhouse, the chief physical instructor for tho Outgo district, was to have taken charge of tho whole proceedings, but unfortunately he was indisposed. However, the succccss of tho function was in a largo measure due to the efforts of Mr Royclhouso before his indisposition. The display proved, as it had on previous occasions, very popular with the general public, and tho interest shown by parents was truly manifest in both the attendance and the apthe primary school children were not dressed in uniform, but the largo number (3,000) probably made organised effort in this direction somewhat expensive.

THE CABARET Although the Cabaret is one of the most popular Exhibition resorts during the week, it is on Saturday night that it really comes into its own. Then it strikes perfect form. There is not a dull moment during the whole evening, for tho floor is crowded with merry revellers, the music is at its brightest, md the weather is generally line and tool. Saturday’s sessions were true to tradition, and the band lived well up to ta reputation. Manuel Hyman, tho live wire, graced by a voluminous hat »f the “bun” variety, and a strange parody of a sporran, pranced gaily imong the dancers with his violin, rhythmically inquiring ‘ Who Takes Care of the Caretaker’s Daughter While the Caretaker’s Out Taking Care?’ His supporters were hardly less enthusiastic. It is not surprising, therefore, that everyone is happy. Tho Cabaret is no place for a frown. Right up til! midnight tho dancing continues on a Saturday, and even then it is with keen regret that the dancers disperse,