ROCHDALE DO WELL

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 78, Issue 7025, 28 February 1949, Page 4

ROCHDALE DO WELL

MARCHING CHAMPIONSHIPS OUTSTANDING SPECTACLE AT PALMERSTON A wealth and variety of multicoloured beautiful uniforms worn by over 400 healthy girls representing--42 teams who marched with precision, dignity and grace, a gloriously line day and an attendance of over 3000 all combined to make the North Island Marching Championships held I at the Palmerston North Showgrounds the most spectacular that the city of the Manawatu has seen for many years. One had to be present to realise fully the beauty of the scene, and the inspiring picture of healthy, beautiful young womanhood, that the girls made. Added to the above was the inspiring music of the Feilding Pipe Band, the Feilding Silver Band, and the Palmerston North Silver Band. The Rochdale team marched to music supplied by the first named. The teams were truly representative of the North Island, coming from Whangarei, Auckland, Wellington and the East and West coasts. The Rochdale team comprising, Misses L. Graham (leader), B. Sklenars, J. McLeish, N. Morris, B. Bowden, A. Trask, B. Adams, R. Duncan, N. McLeish, and M- Meldrum, gained two third places, being third in the championship march with 293 J points as against the winning team (Police, Hastings), 301 points and the second teams (Fashions, Dannevirke), 295 i. points.

Miss Pat Dymore-Browne, owing to illness was unable to take her usual place with the team and her absence was as deeply regretted by her fellow members and as great a disappointment as it was to herself.

The points in the aggregate competition were: Police, Hastings 354; Caledonian, Levin 347 J and Rochdale 3451. The performance put up by the, Te Awamutu girls was outstanding and to gain third places out of fortytwo teams in contests that was marked, according to the chief judge, Lieut. Col. O’Leary, 0.8. E., by the highest standard of marching ever seen in New Zealand, was a feat that Rochdale can be justifiably proud, and to their instructor, Mr F. E. Waters, their leader, Miss L. Graham and the individual members of the team, goes the heartiest congratulations of residents of town and district.

The Rochdale girls and the Caledonian girls from Levin, stood high in public estimation and in racing parlance they were the favourites, and the volume of applause from the packed stands was greater while those teams were competing than during the course of any other team’s display. In writing this one does not question the decision of the judges, all competent men, and the winning team fully deserved their win. The local girls received telegrams of good wishes from the following: The Bowdens, M. Nicholson, Elaine, Citizens’ Band Marching team (Hamilton), Mr and Mrs McCrory, Ursula and Jack, Waikato Centre of the Marching Association, Sunney and Rooney McLeish, Boy Scouts (two telegrams), Mr and Mrs Dymore-Brown, M. Sklenars, Bobbie Wall, Te Awamutu Marching Association, Rotary Club, Jeanette, Adams, Phylline and mascot Lynette Waters, Graham, Sunney, and if the senders of the telegrams knew the extent of the appreciation of the girls for the kindly wishes, the senders would have been amply repaid. It gave the girls an added encouragement and “pepped up” their morale though the latter was not lacking for they marched with confidence. The telegram received from the Hamilton Citizens’ Band Marching team was especially appreciated for that team defeated Rochdale at Hamilton several weeks ago. The sporting action of the Hamilton girls was highly commendable and pleasing. Several Te Awamutu and Hamilton residents journeyed to see the championships and to give moral support to Rochdale.

The local girls were billeted, and the hospitality of their hosts and hostesses was greatly appreciated. The organisation was excellent, as can be guaged by the fact that the judging was done at the rate of ten teams an hour, a tribute to the marshalls and the efficiency of the judges. The Boy Scouts organisation once again proved their worth and value, for they acted as messengers, which work they carried out with dispatch and efficiency. Members of the St John Ambulance Brigade were also present, but the demands made on them were slight. The highlight of the afternoon was the Serpentine March in which all the teams participated. The intricate revolutions were carried out to perfection and as the sun caught the brilliance of th.? uniforms, the picture presented was like one out of a fairy story. It was an unforgetable scene as the girls worked their way out of the intricacies they marched mass formation towards the grandstand to be greeted with thunders of applause. The march past at the close of the function was also an inspiring one.

Speaking at the close of the competitions, Lieut. Col. O’Leary, said that the standard of marching was as high as he had ever seen, and the judges were forced to look for minor mistakes instead of general excellence.

Mr A. G. Harper, under-secretary for Internal Affairs said the day was a big one in the history of marching which he said had come into its own. The officials were: President. W. R. Jack, Levin; Secretary, A. L. Dobson, Levin; marshals, Messrs J. R. Macfarlane, C. Culpan and D. Convery; judges, Lt.-Col. O’Leary, chief judge, Messrs Blackhall and Crawford (nominated by Waikato Centre), R. Hill (Wellington Centre), Messrs Sturrock and Ogle (Hawke’s Bay Centre), Messrs Carrington and De Malmanche (Manawatu Centre), and Mr F. Hammond (Wanganui Centre); costumes, Mrs R. Hill and Mr Robb, appointed by New Zealand executive; recorders, Messrs L. A. Humphrey, W. Shilton, F. Gibbons and L. Merton; steward, A. Wood.

Present at the display were the z Mayor and Mayoress of Palmerston North (Mr and Mrs G. Tremaine), Mr i A. G. Harper (Under-Secretary for I Internal Affairs), Mr W. R. Jack (the j

association’s Manawatu president), Mr K. W. Kilpatrick (national secretary), Mr G. Austin (chairman of the executive) and Lieut-Colonel O’Leary (president of the New Zealand association). The teams competing were 'as follows:—Cavaliers (Hutt Valley), Motor Traders (Feilding), Martinborough, Bodello (Taumarunui), R.S.A. (Taumarunui), Penheys (Feilding), R.S.A. (Bulls), Young Comrades (Wanganui), Ngongotaha (Rotorua), Lancaster’s (Palmerston North), Bandoliers (Otaki), Regal (Taihape), Fanthorpe.s (Taumarunui), Jaycettes (Hastings), Vanguards (Wellington), Silver Arrow (Hutt Valley), Caledonian (Levin), Ambassadors (Wellington), Government Buildings (Napier), Rochdale (Te Awamutu), Railways I (Wellington), Railways II (Wellington), Wise’s (Gisborne), Rangers (Wanganui), Blythes (Napier), Oddfellows’ Lodge (Hastings), The, Fashion (Dannevirke), Robin Hood (Rotorua), Police (Hastings), Rebels (Petone), Maisettes (Wellington), Fitzroy Surf Club (New Plymouth), J. W. Shaw’s (Hastings), D.S.A. (Napier), Pirates (Rotorua), D.I.C. (Wanganui), Old Girls (Whangarei), Royalettes (Rotorua), Municipal Band (Feilding), N.Z. Herald (Auckland), Fowler, . Drummond and Waddell (Hastings), Largettes (Wellington). A successful and enjoyable dance was held in the evening. The Rochdale girls returned home this morning, ■ tired but happy. The town is the richer for their presence depicts healthy, happy young womanhood and any encouragement that can be given them should be given freely for they are Worthy citizens. The, girls have sacrificed time and money to bring themselves to their present high state of efficiency. The team and the town generally owes also a debt of gratitude to Mr Waters, their instructor, for he too has given in very full measure his time and his enthusiasm and helpful coaching has been of the greatest possible benefit to the team. The Rochdale Marching Team will be taking part in the New Zealand championships to be held at Wellington in three weeks’ time and again they will take with them the best wishes and confidence of the people of Te Awamutu.