DANCING UNDER HANDICAP

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18579, 13 December 1934, Page 4

DANCING UNDER HANDICAP

GISBORNE INNOVATION FIRST IN THE WORLD EMINENT JUDGE’S PRAISE When Gisborne instituted a system ot conducting national dancing under handicap, those responsible for the innovation started something which it is claimed, had never before been tried anywhere in the world. It has attracted widespread interest, and is gaining favor with competitors and public. News of its adoption has reached outside centres, and an eminent judge who has travelled extensively has become greatly interested in it. The services of this judge have been secured by organisations in many parts of New Zealand to adjudicate national dancing competitions, and bis opinion, therefore, is greatly valued. The handicap system was instituted by the Poverty Bay Piping and Dancing Association at oiie of the amateur athletic floodlight meetings on the Childers road reserve last, mojith, and the method adopted was explained in an article which appeared ill the Herald the following day. A copy of the paper was sent by a Gisborne resident to a friend in another part of the country, and he has just receive the following letter from one of itlie best known judges in national dancing in New Zealand ;

“A friend of mine handed me a copy of your evening paper. I can assure you I was agreeably surprised to read that an innovation in national dancing had been started there at one of the competitions, dancing under handicap. “I migjit state that I have never heard of it before in any part of the world, and I have travelled extensively. The nearest to handicapping that 1 know of was when in Scotland. I have seen in Some competitions ithat the more expert dancers bad to wear shoes one or two sizes too big for them as a handicap to give some of the less experienced dancers a chance. “The article by your paper gives a clear explanation. Whoever was responsible for introducing handicapping deserves credit, as it gives everyone an even chance, providing you are fortunate enough to have good handicappers, and by the report where only a single point separated the placed competitors you appear to have them. “I am sure you should have the support of both competitors and public, and if ever I am in vour town 1 would be pleased to meet the members of the society who control the dancing there.”