PIPING AND DANCING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27096, 2 June 1949, Page 10

PIPING AND DANCING

COMPETITIONS OPENED^ HIGHLAND ATMOSPHERE Tartan scarves, tartan ties, the swing of kilts and the skirl of pipes gave the Concert Chamber a Gaelic atmosphere yesterday afternoon and last night, when the Otago Centre of the Piping and Dancing Association of New Zealand opened its thirty-eighth annual piping and dancing competitions. < Dunedin was fortunate in having such a flourishing association in the city, said the Mayor, Sir Donald Cameron, who officially opened the-' competitions last night. He also stressed the value of tile training given to the young people by the association. Mr W. W. Cruden, Dominion president of the Piping and Dancing Association, complimented the Dunedin Centre on its choice of programme. The judge of piping is Mr R. W. Haddow, of Tauranga, and the judge of dancing is Mrs M. Wilson, of Invercargill. A. Dodd (Dunedin) was successful in the B Grade March, and in the senior dancing event, the Highland reel (girls 18 years and over), Miss B. Thompson (Invercargill) took first place. Miss P. Muir (Wellington) won the Otago championship sword dance (girls 16 and under 18 years), arid Miss J. Pickens won the Irish jig (girls 14 and under 16 years). R B. Clark (Invercargill) won the Otago championship C grade march. In the piping sections, the standard of tune played was high, and the playing was generally very good. All players were inclined to be rather mechanical, however, and in some cases kilts were carelessly worn. In the over 18 years dancing section, a very high standard was maintained.

The results of the day’s events were:— Otago Championship C Grade March.— R. B. Clark (Invercargill) 1, W. Gibson (Mosgiel) 2, A, Matheson (Dunedin) 3, D. Moir (Palmerston) 4.

Irish Jig (girls, 14 and under 16).—Miss J. Pickens (Christchurch) 1, Miss E. Erskine (Timaru) 2, Miss M. McLeod (Invercargill) 3. Otago Championship Sword Dance (girls, eight and under 10 years).—Miss P. Peterson (Dunedin) 1, Miss M. McLennan (Wyndham) 2, Miss J. Stevenson (Dunedin) 3, Miss M. Veitch (Christchurch) 4. B Grade March.—A. Dodd (Dunedin) 1, C. McMillan (Dunedin) 2, C. Park (Gore) 3, Sean Triubhais (boys, 12 and under 14 years).—D. Williams (Titlroa) 1, V. Norris (Christchurch) 2, C. Hurrlng (Dunedin) 3. Otago Championship Sword Dance (girls, 16 and under 18 years).—Miss P. Muir (Wellington) 1, Miss N. Bird (Christchurch) 2, Miss K. Eunson (Invercargill) 3. Sailor’s Hornpipe (boys, 14 years and over).—B. Smaill (Balclutha) 1.

Highland Reel (girls, 18 years and Over).—Miss B. Thompson (Invercargill) 1, Miss J. Milne (Gore) 2, Miss D. Baxter (Dunedin) 3.