CALL FOR SUPPORT TO NEW CENTRE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22698, 24 July 1948, Page 6

CALL FOR SUPPORT TO NEW CENTRE

MARCHING ASSOCIATION

The formation of the East Coast (North Island) Centre of the N.Z. Marching and Recreational Association was decided upon at a meeting held in Gisborne on Thursray night following an outline of the organisation given by Mr. K. W. Kilpatrick, the Dominion secretary. Mr. G. Butler, president of the Gisborne association, was chairman of the meeting. The boundaries of the centre are Tutira, inclusive, in the south and Opotiki, exclusive, in the north and it was explained that, while associations were at present active only in Gisborne and Wairoa, it was hoped that associations would be established in various other parts of the zone, Te Karaka, Tolaga Bay and Ruatoria being mentioned as localities in which interest had already been evinced. The election of the centre officials was deferred to a subsequent meeting. In the meantime the Misses June Hall and B. Ebbitt were appointed as delegates to the national conference in Wellington on August 14. Remarkable Progress

Mr. Kilpatrick explained that the remarkable progress of the sport was responsible for the decision to divide the Dominion into 19 centres. Some 40 local associations were affiliated with the N.Z. body and more than 2000 girls were actively engaged. The GovernorGeneral, Sir Bernard Freyberg, in the capacity of patron had attended the last N.Z. championships at Dunedin and had expressed admiration of the high standard of marching.

"Our sport,” said Mr. Kilpatrick, “is recognised and supported by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. W. E. Parry who with Mr. S. G. Holland, Leader of the Opposition, are vice-patrons. Through the Minister, the Physical Welfare Branch is co-operating with our associations because, like so many people they appreciate the healthy recreation which the sport provides.” Mr. Kilpatrick appealed to the general public to support the reorganised Gisborne association as is done in many other towns. He also appealed for more girls to take up marching and for more qualified men to act as coaches of the teams.

It was further explained that in addition to the local competitions there would now be the centre championship, leading up to the North and South Island championships and the N.Z. championship. The first centre championship would be held in Gisborne, and subsequently in various places in the centre area. It was from the centre championship that two teams would be .selected to represent the centre in the New Zealand Championships.