GYMNASTIC DISPLAY

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11659, 25 October 1923, Page 4

GYMNASTIC DISPLAY

WELLINGTON GIRLS’ COLLEGE.

A grand combined gymnastic display and dramatic entertainment was given last night in the Opera House by the girls of the Wellington Collegiate School, when the house was crowded to oevrßowing with parents and friends of the performers. His Excellency the Governor-General attended, and was received by Mr W. E- Ward, chairman of the Board, Misb McLean, the principal, His Worship the Mayor, and Dr. Marsden, assistant-director of education.

The programme was a most excellent one, and consisted of a number of gymnastic displays, wihich carried through crisply and smartly by the different groups under the able direction of Mrs Taylor. This section was varied by charming country and other dances, while pupils of Miss Helen Gardiner gave a number of pleasing recitations and dramatic sketches. The programme opened! with wand exercises by the 6th and sth form girls, followed by a very “clever series of marching figures by 3rd form girls, whose tunics of black and orange carried out the school colours. A country dance was given by 4th form girls, and a skating dance also later; Doth gracefully executed. A very difficult series of Swedish exercises by the 6th and 6th form girls, and a minuet by the 6th form, concluded the first part, while intermixed weTe several sketches, a character recital, “Pandora’s Box.” by Gwen Carr; song in character, “The Eastern Bride,” Hilda Oowlam; recitation, “The Doom of Stephanus,” Mary Cooley; action song, •“'The Captain,” Edna Purdie, who also gave a recital from “Loros. Doone”; “Down Vauxhall Way,” given as a duet by Hilda Cowlam and Huia Doherty in costume; and a duet, also in oostume, by Effi© Brice and Phyllis McMillan.

In the second part came exercise® were given by sth form girls; an old English dance iby the 3rd form, in rustic costumes, vary pretty and graceful ; song, “Spinning,” by MaTgaret Smith; a character recital, “Joan of Arc,” by Sheila Nelson; duet, “Sweet Alice,” by Edna Purdie and Sinclair Bieen, the latter also giving “Dolly Vc-rdon” in character; “In the Olden Days,” a soena by Effie Brice, and a scene from “Romeo and Juliet,” l.y Mary Cooley as Juliet; song in onnrac ter, “Flower Girl,” by Thelma Aitken ; and a humorous sketch, ‘Tn the Tiain,” by Zelma Carroll. The final numbers were again exercises which might have formed even a larger portion of the programme; tree standing exorcises by 4th forms girls; “Dance of the Spring Flowers,” 3rd form girls; and “A Peasant Dance,” sth form girls. The college (is indeed to be congratulated at having such excellent teaching as that shown last night by Mrs Tavlor.

His Excellency, the Governor-Gener-al, expressed the admiration all felt for the perfotmens, and said he felt he had neglected too long his position as visitor to tho college. He had asked Miss McLean to appoint a day in the near future, when he could repair such neglect. ; Applause). During the interval before speaking. Lord Jel'icoe presented the liookey colours of the senior team to Janet Buit, Joj>n Zorhab and Jean Shoit, amid much applause from their fellow players also basket hall shields to Form VI B. represented by Anna Hogg (captain), and 111 A, Phyllis Barton (captain). Mr W. F. Ward briefly thanked his Excellency for attending, and Miss McLean was presented with a handsome bouquet, from the girls and also Mrs Taylor.

The iwrforinance ended by the singing of their college song by th« combined forces of all the forms taking part. Members of the staff were in charge of the arrangements and were Resisted by a committee of some of the fathers who looked after doors, seats, otc.