TOWN HALL DANCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24483, 17 December 1940, Page 10

TOWN HALL DANCE

OTAGO BALLROOM CHAMPIONSHIP " A 15-year-old girl and her partner won the Otago Ballroom Championship. which was decided at the weekly Town Hall dance on Saturday night. They were Miss A. McLatchie and Mr Albert McCracken, who thus completed a remarkable record over the past year. In 1939 they won the Otago Novice Championship, and they followed this up a fortnight ago by winning the Otago Junior Championship from a strong field. On Saturday night they were competing against five other outstanding

couples, who' included Mr and Mrs Leo Smeltz - nee Cora Dud), who, two years ago, finished fifth in the Australasian Ballroom Dancing Championship and who have gained many successes in the Dominion. The contest was judged by popular vote, and naturally the young couple’s success was received with great enthusiasm by the large crowd of dancers and spectators, Mr and Mrs Smeltz were placed second, Mr Dave Hewitt and Miss Phyllis White third, and Mr Pat McNamara and Miss June Lawrence fourth. The cups will be presented to the winners next Saturday night by Mr R. McKenzie at the conclusion of the Circular Waltz Championship. The music on Saturday night was provided by two bands—Mat De Laney’s Radio Rhythmics and Wright’s Rhythm Band—-so that dancers could enjoy practically a non-stop programme. Messrs James Macfarlane. Arthur Waller and R. P. Murphy were popular vocalists.