NELSON COLLEGE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 5 December 1927, Page 9

NELSON COLLEGE

GYMNASTIC DISPLAY A gymnastic display by a number of Nelson College pupils was held in the College gymnasium on Saturday night. There was a good attendance of the public and a first-class exhibition was witnessed. Physical training has always formed an important branch of the College activities, and great care is taken each year to maintain the high standard of work set by former pupils. Alacrity, uniformity of movement, and strict attention to details are the essentials required in the various drills and exercises, and to have reached the state of perfection that the boys have attained necessitates consistent training under the supervision of competent instructors. It is important to note here that the training of the squads whose work was seen on Saturday evening, was done wholly by prefects. Prizes were allotted for the best squads, and the standard of the work was no doubt considerably added to by the spirit of keen rivalry that prevailed. Dumb-bell and clubs exhibitions were greatly appreciated, the timing of the movements being all that could be desired. Very few mistakes were m fde and indeed right through the whole display, the absence of errors and the confidence and cleverness of the boys were marked features. The section of the display, that of gym. for boys under 14 years of age, formed an important part, and the three finalists—Tatton, Beilby and Page—considerably surprised the onlookers by their expertness. Their work on the horizontal bar, and parallel bars was distinctly clever and finished, vfhile horse vaulting and ring gymnastics were also very good. As a finale to an excellent display several well constructed pyramids were formed under the instruction of E. Jamieson, head prefect of the College. Before proceeding with the distribution of The prizes Mr J. G. McKay, act-ing-Prjncipal, thanked Colonel Hume for judging the different classes of work. Mr Hume was a specialist in gymnastic work and had been very kind to offer his services. Mr McKay pointed out that the display had shown on:y the final stages of the exhibition; the eliminating work had been got through during the previous week. Colonel Hume, in replying, said that in bis opinion the standard of the gymnastics had improved since lie last saw a display. He wished to compliment the boys on their work, especially the boys under 14 years old. Mrs Tillyard then presented the prizes, which were ns follows: Under 14 gymnastics: A Tatton. Junior gymnastics: S. R. Duncan. Senior gymnastics: In this section it was not possible to separate Nees'and R.. S. Duncan, whose names will lie bracket jd on the cup. Junior physical training squad : Jamieson’s , Senior physical training squad - Platts Exhibition of clubs: W. Hawlcesworth’s squad. Dumb-bells: Platt’s squad. Mr McKay, in concluding the display, remarked that the exhibitions of clubs, dumb-bells and other gymnastics were all traditional, -being done in just the same way now as they were fifty years ae-o. Also be stressed the fact that the training was supervised solely by prefects, and the high standard of gymnastics displayed reflected great credit oil them;