OTAGO GYMNASTIC ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12445, 30 August 1902, Page 10

OTAGO GYMNASTIC ASSOCIATION.

■the second annual display by gymnastic clubs in the Otago Gymnastic Association took place in the Garrison Hall last night under the patronage of the leading athletic bodies of the city. Tho attendance was large, and may be taken as evidence of an increased interest in the valuable work which is being done by the association and affiliated clubs, Added interest attached to the display on account of the appearancooi tho Otago representatives for the in: terprovincial contest, which will probably take place in October next, Of course, the local gymnasts are somewhat in the dark as to tliß merits of their rivals m the Empire City, but who had an opportunity of witnessing tho display given Uvst night will agree that our representatives may be relied on to give a good account of themselves. Under the leadership, first of Mr H. G-. Siedeberg and afterwards of Mr Matthews, the team gave excellent performances on the* parallel and horizontal bars, and tho audience were loud in their appreciation of tho grace and agility of the performers. Taking tho programme in its order, the first exhibition was one of dumb-bell exercises by the George Street, Union Street, Albany street, and Trinity Clubs, uiider Captain Hudson, in which the performers kept excellent time. There were two club-swinging items by ladies, the first being Mias Mowat's class from High Street, and the second Mr Balfour's from the Trinity Girls' Clubs.. Although there was little to chooso between them, the first was, if anything the better performance. A squad under Captain (1. Macdonald showed their prowess on tho vaulting horse; Captain Galloway made a good exhibition with a squad on the Koman rings, while the wand exercises by the Mornington, High Street, and Dunedin Clubs, under Instructor Matthews, wen; an unusually attractive performance. Littlo that was entirely new was attempted during the evening, but one of the best acts was a back long swing, changing into a forward long swing, performed by Instructor Matthews, and which was loudly applauded, In addition to the physical display \r re v,ero sovcril ' S°°d uiusical items. Mr D, Melville sang "Out on the deep," Mrs R. Hudson, jun. " Farewell, summer" (Noel Johnston), and Mr.R. H, Bryant '"My bounife barque. Mr W. M. Coombs played a cornet solo. Mr P. J. Walsh acted as accompanist with Ins customary skill. Mention should be made also of tho North-East Valley Band, who played an overture to tho programme, in addition to playing in the streets prior to the performance. Credit is due to Messrs E. S. Wilsou (secretary), F. C. Liggins (superintendent). W. Beadle, E. D. Grace, and J. Melville for tho arrangements of tho entertainment, which was kept up to time, and in every way enjoy-