Revival of Interest

Hutt News, Volume 20, Issue 16, 18 September 1946, Page 7

Revival of Interest

MARCHING AND RECREATION. HUTT VALLEY ASSOCIATION. Sponsored by Llie Mull Valley Junior Chamber of Commerce, a meeting was held last Thursday night with the object of reviving interest in the Marching and Recreation Association in the Valley. Mr. M. Harding presided. Mr. G. Austad, immediate past president ol the New Zealand Marching awl Recreation Association, said that the Hutt Association had been in successful operation in the past, but during the war years the interest had fallen off. He saw no reason why enthusiasm, should not be revived In this district. In every centre throughout New Zealand marching had lal:cn a strong hold and the bene.it to ii:a girls had .„,:, very gieat. The exchange of ,i:i:s developed friendships, which was >•. great thing. All was done under capable supervision. A judges' panel had been formed by the New Zealand Association, which meant that all teams were judged on an equal basis. The whole of South Island and most of the North Island were now organised, and it v/as honed to form a strong Association in the HuVt Valley. Championship Fixtures. Mr. Austad stated that the North Island championships would be decided in Masterton. the South Island championships in Blenheim, and the New Zealand championships in Hastings. Mr. Irvine, chairman oT the management committee of the New Zealand Association, said that that body would he behind the Hutt Valley Association. In Blenheim there were twelve girls' marching teams, and Hint Valley with its large and growing population should have at least twenty. He saw no reason why the Wellington and Hutt Valh■•'.' Associations could not run strongcompetitions. With the three championship fixtures within easy distance Hutt Valley would have the opportunity of winning them all; it had never been done but it was not impossible. Teams were not limited 'o one ractory or business; they could be made up from outside. Mr. Keith Mitchell, district officer of the physical welfare section of the Internal Affairs Department, stressed the importance of the name of the Association. While marching played an important part recreation was of equal value. At Christchurch recently 26 marching teams •took part in indoor basket-ball, and there were, many other activitiestable tennis, swimming, etc. The most important aspect was the girls themselves. They should get to-gether,-form teams-, and enter for the competitions. The Department of Internal Affairs would help in any way possible. Provisional Committee Appointed. A provisional committee, with Mr. D. R. Carr as president and Mr. S. A. Blackie as secretary-treasurer, was set up to draw up a constitution and report to a public meeting on September 26th, when officers will be elected. Tributes were paid to the Junior Chamber of Commerce for its initiative in calling the meeting.

Three interesting films —"New Horizons," the New Zealand Weekly Review, and "Along the Great Silk Route" —were screened. The first one gave a vision of what life will be- in 19t50, with t.rar-opcrt development, model cities, scientific achievements, air travel, etc., providing space for living, Working, and playing.