PIPING AND DANCING

Otago Witness, Issue 3247, 7 June 1916, Page 3

PIPING AND DANCING

FIFTH ANNUAL GATHERING

Tho filth annual championship meeting of the Pipers and Dancers' Association of New Zealand was opened in the Art Gallery Hall on tho 31st. The entries are up to the usual average, and a large audience of lovers of Scottish music and dancing took a keen interest in the proceedings. Mr Dugald M'Phersrn 'president of the association) presided, and in a brief, appropriate speech formally opened the meeting. The piping competitions are being judged by Mr K. Cameron and tho dancing bv Mr H. M'Kay (Tirnaru). , . Main interest centred in the juvenile dancing championship awarded for most points "in Highland reel, Highland fling, and seantreuss. The reel and flmg were taken last night, but tho 10 competitors have yet to be seen in the seantreuss, which will be taken to-night. . The judge considered that the playing of the marches, with which the programme opened was excellent throughout. There were five competitors whom ho found it very difficult to separate. They gave very good interpretations, but on the part oi some of tho competitors there was a tendency to play too slowly. The same tendency was also noticeable in the stratnspeys and reels. M'lntyre, the winner in that section, gave a good all-round performance. Solby's execution was very line, and M Millan scored in tone and expression. Iho general standard was again very high. Tho boy who was placed second in the Highland'fling for boys under 12 had much the neatest style of any, but he lost points through getting out of his position. The iirst prize-winner did not get sufficient lift into his dancing. The girl placed first in the sword dance-Jur girls under 12 gave a first class exhibition, and was excellent in all the nositions. The second girl was a neat little dancer, but needs more training. In tho class for boys under 18 Anderson danced a very neat seantreuss. The adult dancing was good, and gave the judge some difficulty in reaching a decision. C. M'Kenzie danced a first-class Highland fling, and was. almost perfect in his positions. H. M'Donald was very close up in the same competition. The' first two girls in the sword dance gave a very good exhibition, and the same remark applies to all the three placed competitors in the men's sword dance. Tho proceeds of tho gathering, -Inch will be brought to a dose this evening, are to bo devoted to the Highlands and Islands Relief Fund. The following arc the results: Marches (open). Seven entries—A. M'lntyre 1, J. M'Callum and Angus .u-Mii-lan (equal) 2. Highland Fling 'boys under 12). Five entries.—A. Wilson 1, W. Smith 2, C. Shaw 3. Sword Dance (girls under 12). Four entries— S. Sutherland 1, E. Murray 2, B. King 3. Seantreuss (boys under 18). Four entries— J. Anderson 1, C. Shaw 2, W. M'Kenzie 3. Strathspeys and Reels (open). Eight entries—A MTntvre 1, 0. Selby and A. M'Millan (equal) 2. Highland Fling (adults). Six entries—C. M'Kenzie 1, H. M'Donald 2, R. Clark 3. Sword Dance .(girls under 18). Eight entries—J. Riddell 1, S. Sutherland 2, G. Paget 3. Sword Dance (adults). Six entries—G. Anderson 1, R. Clark 2, H. M'Donald 3.

Tho fifth annual championship gathering of the New Zealand Pipers and Dancers Association was continued and brought to a close in the Art Gallery Hall on the Ist.

At the close of the meeting cups and medals were presented to successful competitors by Drum-major Gilchrist. The cup for highest aggregate points in pining v.v.s. won by A. M'lntyre, with 15, M'Millan and Selby getting 6 points each and M'Ca 1 - lum 4. The cup for most points in dancing went to H. M'Donald, with 12 points; C. M'Kenzie being next with 3, and Anderson and D. M'Donald securing 6 each. The following are the results: — JUVENILE CHAMPIONSHIP. Five entries—M. Thorn, 15 points, 1; Flora Shaw. 11 points, 2; W. Robinson, 3 points, 3. Miss Thorn was placed first in the reel and the fling and first equal in the seauntreuss. Miss Shaw was second in -the reel and the fling and first equal in the seauntreuss. Miss Robinson was third in all throe competitions. MARCHES (Maiden). Five entries—L. Taylor 1, J. Hastie 2, G. Ross 3. JIGS AND HORNPIPES (Open). Seven entries—A. M'lntyre 1, C. Selby 2, J. M'Callum 3. HIGHLAND REEL (Adults). Six entries —H M'Donald 1. 0. M'Kenzie 2, D. M'Donald 3. „. , SEAUNTREUSS (Girls under 18). Eight entries—R. Bayno 1, J. Riddell 2, E. DunSWORD DANCE (Boys under 12). Five entries—A. Wilson 1, C Shaw 2, W. Smith 'HIGHLAND FLING (Girls under 12). Four entries—S. Sutherland 1, E. Murray 2, G. Hanlin 3. HIGHLAND FLING (Boys under 13). Six entries- C. M'Kenzie 1. H. Jarvie 2, C Shaw 3. SAILOR'S HORNPIPE (Adults,). Six entries—D. M'Donald 1. H. M'Donald 2, G. Anderson 3.