SCHOOLS' GYMNASTIC EXHIBITION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11505, 18 August 1899, Page 6

SCHOOLS' GYMNASTIC EXHIBITION.

A gymnastic exhibition by squads of pupil* from six of our public schools was given in the Agricultural Hall last evening under the suuer-

vision of Instructor Hanna. The objects of tha display were twofold—namely, to show lh-j system of instruction adopted at Echools supervised by Instructor Hanna, and to provide further equipments of the gymnasia attached to these schools. The exhibition was under the patronage of several public institutions, civic and educational, and as preparations for it were made on an extensive scale, a large attendance had been anticipated. Nor were these anticipations unrealised; for although some might hnva expected to have seen a more numerous audience, i* very large number were assembhd within the Agricultural Half. The programme was a well-chosen one, but somewhat lengthy—a serious defect about any programme, but more especially when the entertainment necessarily partakes of a sameness throughout. However, the movements which were gone through servsd admirably to display the gymnastic skill of the young performed and if the pupils of all the public schools which are bow equipped with gymnasia acquit themselves with similar ability one would be inclined to think that there is a good deal of truth in the remark of one of the audience that we aro rearing up in New Zealand a nation of athletes, both men and women. As to MiHanua's system of instruction, anyone who viewed last evening's performance with an unprejudiced eye must be compelled to admit that the system is an excellent one. The success which attends his methods was everywhere manifest. But whilst everyone must have been gratified at the creditable efforts of the pupils, there was a feature about the display which to many must have been still more pleasing, and that was the watchful care exercised by the instructor over his young charges. Althou"h Mr Hanna's methods are well designed to foster that spirit of reliance and self-confidence, aimed at m a gymnasium, nothing is undertaken which is m the slightest degree likely to make too great a demand on the physical streiifUi of the pupils. The performance as a whole was generally regarded as being a highly praiseworthy one—praiseworthy alike to Mr Hannn and to the performers, and the audience did not fail to signify their hearty approval as tlrevening advanced.

Before the performance commenced, Mr J. M. Gallaway said he regretted that he had been called upon to apologise for the absence of Dr Brown. In the doctor's profession it was impossible to make arrangements in advance, and he had been unexpectedly called away to the country. He (Mr Gallaway) regretted further, and he was quite sure the audience would also regret, that Dr Brown had taken away with him the address which he had been advertised to give. He did not think he would be betraying any confidence if he said it was generally understood that Dr Brown had prepared a history of gymnastics, with a comparison of the ancient and modern methods. He (Mr Gallaway) thought lie had better not accentuate' the joys the audience had lost, but had rather turn their attention to the merits of the enteitainment that had been provided for them. He claimed to take some interest in athletics, .andhe believed that every athlete would agree with him that a proper physical training under the supervision of an instructor like Mr Hanna was the true basi3 of athletics. The presence of tht audience there that night showed that they wer< in sympathy with Mr Hanna's work, and thai they recognised that from his efforts physica,: education in Otago had received a- very greal impetus. He (Mr Gallaway) hoped that the /- result of the entertainment, from a, financial point of view, would be such as to encourage future efforts in the same direction, and would help to properly equip the gymnasia, we already possessed. He had not come to the entertainment to make a speech, but to see the children bear evidence of the skill of their training; and he felt sure that they would enjoy themselves thoroughly, and would thank him for taking up no more of their time.

As already indicated the programme was a lengthy one, and the performances of the diffe-

rent squads were so uniformly .excellent that to attempt anything like a detailed description of what was done would be a somewhat diffi-

cult if not invidious task. The schools represented in the display were the Higli School, Higli street School, Albany street, Union street, Anderson's Bay, and St. Clair Schools. There was a very large number of performers, in some of tho exercises that were gone through - the large stage being quite thronged. "With the exception of one or two movements in which the participants wore pupil teachers, those who took part were pupils of both sexes.. Some of the exercises were gone through by the pupils of separate schools, while others were performed by the combined schools. As regards the combined schools' exhibition, the performances, which perhaps may be singled out for special mention were the feats on the parallel bars,, concluding with a. living pyramid. The effect of the grouping in. the latter was particularly good, enhanced as it was by limelight colours, and the audience gave expression to its feeling of appreciation in an emphatic manner. In addition to these the dumbbell exercises by boys and girls, and first lessons in gymnastics by boys, were performed effectively. A graceful exhibition of Indian club swinging was given by the Anderson's Bay School children. Physical drill with and without arms was gone through by the High street School cadets and the Albany street School children, both squads acquitting themselves in such a manner as to secure liberal applause. The Higli School cadets were deservedly rewarded with a favourable demonstration for the manner in which they performed the bayonet exercise; the sword exercises by pupil teachers proved an interesting exhibition, while the pugilistic encounter by two juveniles, who displayed a very rudimentary knowledge of the noble art of selfdefence, created a. great deal of merriment. What was undoubtedly the great feature of the evening's entertainment, were the feats performed on the horizontal bar by the High School boys, headed by Mr Harma. Most of the boys executed the feats cleverly and gracefully, while the display made by Mr Hanna on the bar provoked applause, almost enthusiastic in its fervour. To a good many of those preI sent the display on the Eoman rings proved one of the most attractive items on tho programme, and here again Mr Hanna secured for himself a hearty round of applause for his feats of skill. Not a little amusement was afforded to the audience by a clown, who displayed great agility, while the several exercises were rendered more effective by means of the limelight, which was manipulated by Mr A. P.. Shepherd, assisted by Messrs Glaister Bros, and W. Yates. -

To-night the entertainment will be repeated.