GIRLS AT DRILL.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 953, 1 March 1917, Page 4

GIRLS AT DRILL.

This morning, in the Choral Hall, a bright ami jolly lot of girls, first and second year students, from the Norma! Training College, were being put through Swedish drill exercises by the instructor, Miss Gore-Martin. This is the annual training week for the students. The girl?, in. their white jumpers and short navy skirts, presented an energetic and business-like appearance. "Knees bent; one—two," called the instructor, and the orderly lines fell into position smartly. "Ready for deep breathing*' came the order. "Now. inhale steady exhale. Abdominal, not chest."

So the drill proceeded briskly: all th» movements of the now well-known Swedish system—tapping step, cross wise step, marching in military fashion to music, toes well down, arms stretched, arms sideways, upwards, and swinging, heads well thrown back. Theo the roll was called, and there was a short rest.

Miss Gore-Martin, the instructor for Canterbury and VVestland, gave some interesting particulars about the work. She was> trained in a London school, where the Swedish system is taught, and has been in New Zealand about four years. "You see," she said, "the Swedish language is so very difficult to pick up that many people prefer to study in the London schools instead of proceeding to Sweden. Of course, the instructors are continually in touch with the latest methods, and. indeed, cross over to Sweden two or three times a year, and are thus kept up to date."