Reception to Miss Frances Scully

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 236, 6 October 1938, Page 14

Reception to Miss Frances Scully

EXAMINER FOR ROYAL ACADEMY OF DANCING Aliss Gwen Gibbs, organiser for the Royal Academy of Dancing in this district, was hostess at a reception given by teachers of dancing to Miss Frances Sfiully, of Sydney, the first Australian teacher to officiate in the capacity of examiner for the Royal Academy of Dancing in New Zealand, and held at the Rosco tearooms yesterday afternoon. The guests were received in the lounge, where lovely bowls of irises, tulips, cyclamen and cinnorarias made a glad showing, and later proceeded to the tearoom, wnere tulips and Iceland poppies made their contribution.

Aliss Gibbs wore a distinctive bolero suit of black wool georgette, a black plateau beret and grey squirrel coat. Aliss Scully was in a smart American spring suit of navy, with piping of white at the neck and forming a narrow front panel. She also wore a navy toque with gnome crown and veil trimmings. The Mayoress, Mrs. A. E. Alansford, who was also present, wore a black tailored suit with oyster blouse and black hat.

A pretty compliment was paid to Aliss Scully by Aliss Gibbs in the presentation of a shoulder spray of scarlet tulips, intermingled with boronia. Airs. Mansford was also presented with a tulip spray.

After delicious refreshments had been enjoyed, Aliss Gibbs called on the mayoress to extend a welcome to Aliss Scully. Offering a exordial welcome to the city. Airs. Mansford said New Zealanders were always pleased to greet visitors from overseas. She referred to the close relationship between Australia and New Zealand and to the courtesy extended to New Zealand visitors in Australia. She was glad to return the compliment and expressed the hope that Miss Scully would enjoy her stay in New Zealand and that it would be successful for the work she was undertaking, also that she would find time to see something of the beauties of the country.

Returning thanks for the reception accorded her, Miss Scully spoke of her pleasure in visiting Palmerston North as the first Australian teacher to come on behalf of the 'Royal Academy. She mentioned that on a business trip to this country some years ago she had been struck by the possibilities of New Zealand as a most artistic centre for the development of dancing to a higher standard. Continuing, Aliss Scully said

in supporting the Royal Academy they were suporting a great ideal for the perfection of technique. The Royal Academy had started in England, had reached out to Africa and Australia and to New Zealand, where the ground had been prepared for teachers and the general public to become acquainted with the work and its lofty purpose. The academy's patron, Madame Adelaine Gence, had been the inspiration to go forward to such achievements and developments as were known to-day. Two years ago, Aliss Scully mentioned, she had attended a conference with the patron and council in London and had been successful at that meeting to obtain for Australian dancing students for the first time two scholarships. This was an indication that the academy had some interest in what they were trying to do. Miss Scully went on to speak of the formation of an Australasian advisory committee on which New Zealand had & representative. She had been asked

why New Zealand had not been given a scholarship which would have been a great incentive, but it had been pointed out that New Zealand students had not attained the necessary qualifications of an advanced certificate. She suggested that the New Zealand representative on the advisory committee might ask again at the meeting in January, when she felt certain the request would be considered. Aliss Scully spoke of Aladame Genee's continued interest m Australia and New Zealand, she having visited these countries and stressed the importance of being attached to the academy, the living body with great ideals, commanding respect throughout the British Empire. Dominion’s Dancing Braised. It had come as a great surprise to Air. Felix Demery, Royal Academyexaminer, on his second visit to New Zealand, to find such a great Improvement in the standard and technique of dancing. He had been struck with the great ability of the New Zealand children and commended the standard of teaching and those who had gone to the trouble to establish the work. Thi3 interest would not be passed by and must be noticed by parents, Aliss Bcuily said. The time was ready right now when it had become necessary for parents .to

i take careful consideration of the qualii. fications of a teacher before committing l their children to any dancing school.' ; When Mr. Demery had first visited Sydney, Miss Scully said, he had sug--1 gested the formation of an Australian Society' for operatic danders and had formed the first branch, of which the ! speaker was the first president. They had asked Aladame Gence to be the ■ patron, that lady cabling her proud . acceptance, but -with a request that it . should be an Australasian association, again showing her thought for New , Zealand. During her tour of this counr try Aliss Scully said she had been interesting teachers in this association and had been privileged to form the first branch in Auckland. She hoped to form branches in Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. Members of the academy were asked to link up with the nearest branch. When the association : started in Australia there had been 20 > members, and after the second examination they had 56. To assist members : special classes were held during the year and taken by' visiting dancers. This was of great advantage to tho girls. Auckland had decided to arrange for Anton DoJin, of London, to take the first class for its members when the 1 Russian Ballet would be visiting the

Dominion. This would be a wonderful opportunity and should give dancers ail entirely new outlook. The age limit to join was 18, but associate members of 16 years were admitted without voting power. On behalf of the academy, Miss •Scully thanked Mrs. Mansford for her interest in the work, Mias Gibbs for her enthusiasm in organising and the Kew Zealand teachers for co-operating so happily. With such a warmth of enthusiasm the forthcoming examinations would not only be a success but a stimulation of interest in that which was dear to their hearts —the art of dancing, she concluded. Miss Gibbs thanked Miss Scully and Mrs. Tether (Miss Jean Muir; thanked Miss Gibbs for the opportunity of meeting tne visitor. With her years of experience Miss Gibbs was the very one to be the leader,.she said. Others present were ..jrs. tr. G. Tether, Misses B. Muir, J. ►Scott, <J. Vaughan, Z. Bailey, L. McAfler and Green*