MARTON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 276, 20 November 1937, Page 14

MARTON

VIOLA BARKER’S SCHOOL OF DANCING ATTRACTIVE DANCE RECITAL ' An enthusiastic audience welcomed i <he uuoils of Viola Barker s School of i Dancing on the occasion of their an- | nual dance recital at the Civic Theatre, Marton, on Friday evening, i’he tiny tots and the elder pupils displayed a wonderful knowledge of the teennique of ballroom, tap, operatic and national dances, and each performer was accorded hearty applause. It would be invidious to particularise in detail the performance of these juvenile artists, but Miss Viola is to be heartily congratulated on the manner in which they acquitted themselves. The character dancers were picturesquely attired, and the recital was unanimously voted as one of the best. The music was under the supervision of Bennett's Ltd., a special amplifyer constructed by the firm being used under the direction of Mr. F. V. Wiggins, and was of great assistance to the young artists. The programme opened with a ballet, “The Land of Windmills,” which included dances by the boys and girls, the little mothers and the miller’s daughter. Girls: Priscilla Whale, Joan Pryce, Kaye Johnson, Jean Lambert, Rowena Husband, Dinah Pryce. Boys: Mary Pryce, Thelma Gower, Hazel Lourie, Nola Archibald, Michael Kendrick, Robin Wales. The miller's daughter: Beverley Frederick.

The figures of an old-fashioned dance, the lancers, was neatly executed by the following:—Girls: Mary Murray-Aynsley, Shirley Scott-Maun-drell, Barbara Scott-Maundrell, Pixie Lilburn. Boys: Peter Holmes, James Caithness, Richard Fenwicke, Isla Parkinson.

“Pals,” a duo in which Patsy Goebel took the part of a shoe-black and Nola Archibald as a newspaper boy, was very well performed. Doreen Morris was seen to advantage in an operatic solo. A tap sailor’s hornpipe received an enthusiastic reception, the teams being: Jean Lambert, Kaye Johnson, Michael Kendrick, Dinah Pryce and Mary Pryce; Beverley Frederick, Thelma Gower and Priscilla Whale.

Miss Viola Barker and a pupil gave an exhibition of the fox-trot. Nola Archibald was very clever in an acrobatic solo. Mr. Syd. Anderson’s cane dance was new to a Marton audience and he was warmly applauded, whilst Patsy Goebel's skipping rope solo was another good item. “Vingakers” was performed by Shirley and Barbara Scott-Maundrell (girls) and Mary Murray-Aynsley (boy). The first part concluded with “Get Rhythm in Your Feet,” by Margaret Gordon, Ruth Ashcroft. Christine Ashcroft, and Pamela Nicols.

The second part opened with “The Dance of the Witches,” by Nira Abbott, Margaret Caithness, Palsy Goebel and Nola Archibald, who were received with hearty applause. A ballet entitled “In Every Port,” enabled the following performers to show their ability as dancers: Sailor, Margaret Gordon; Irish girl, Ruth Ashcroft; Spanish girl, Pamela Nicols; Dutch girl, Jewell Baxter; Italian girl, Christine Ashcroft; Alabama coon (U.S.A.). Mary Shannon. The story was that of the proverbial Jack Tar and his girl in every port. After dancing with each one in turn, we see the gay sailor trying to dance away, but is resolutely followed by the five girls. Patsy Goebel and Nola Archibald followed in a sword dance and Doreen Morris in Rueben taps, both items being excellently performed. Miss Viola Barker and pupil gave an exhibition of the Viennese waltz, which was followed by an excellent tap solo by Isla Parkinson. A duo, “Saucy Sue,” was taken by Margaret Caithness as Sue and Patsy Goebel as her admirer.

Pixie Lilburn’s exhibition of an Irish step dance appealed to the audience. Tow tiny tots—Dinah Pryce and Michael Kendrick, demonstrated the ballroom dances —the polka and Highland schottische. Margaret Gordon, Ruth Ashcroft and Christine Ashcroft gave an splendid exhibition of the Highland fling, and Mary Pryce, Beverley Frederick, Nola Archibald, and Priscilla Whale as a military quartette were very imposing. The recital concluded with an ensemble, the two-step, by (he classes which was a snappy item to a firstclass dance programme. On account of indisposition Prudence Church and Robin McCully were unable to fill their allotted parts, which were taken by Jewell Baxter and Isla Parkinson. “ MAN IN POSSESSION” FEATURING JEAN HARLOW’ AND ROBERT TAYLOR The versatile Robert Taylor comes straight from the arms of Greta Garbo in “Camille" into the embrace of Jean Harlow in “Man in Possession,” which opens at the Civic Theatre this afternoon and evening. The story is mirthful and the cast presents it with skill. The direction of W. S. Van Dyke is excellent and maintains his record of having never made an unsuccessful picture. It is a remarkable story and it has been remarkably well handled as a picture. PERSONAL The friends of Mr. Jack Marr, of Marton, will be pleased to learn that he has been appointed secretary of the Fortification Timber Co., Ltd., at Invercargill, and commenced his duties last month. Mr. Marr was on the staff of Hodder and Tolley Ltd., and the Marton Sash and Door Co., at Marton, and later on the staff of Manson and Clark (Napier). RANGITIKEI CRICKET TO-DAY'S MATCHES The fixtures for this afternoon arc: Old Boys v. Porewa, and Marton v. Hunterville, at Marton. Following are the teams: Marton.—L. Smith (capt.), J. Openshaw, W. Rushton, G. Lourie, R. Shields, P. P. J. Corballis, P. Williams, O. Williams, G. C. Birch, D. McLennan. and H. Parkes. i Hunterville. Hayward, Towers-

Powell, Fisher, Gordon, Flattery, Talbot, Finney, Hallwood, J. Joll. Old Boys—H. F. Low, S. C. Beechey, M. Wysocki, R. Whit combe, W. Tolley, A. Duncan, M. Grillin, P. Johnston, K. Kerr, H. Maiden and V. Fittlcr. A Cricket Decision A correspondent writes: —Re the question in cricket law owing to the little controversy during a game in Marton last Saturday. The question was submitted to the Marylebone Cricket Club last year by the Otago Cricket Umpires’ Association and the following reply was received: “A bowler may run a batsman out without having delivered the ball in any way authorised by the laws. He mayhave passed the bowling crease in his run or may change the ball from one hand to the other before throwing it at the wicket or knocking oft the bails. The bails may be knocked oft from either side of the wicket.” METHODIST SYNOD The Taranaki-Wanganui Methodist Synod, which has been in conference at Marlon for the past two days, concluded on Thursday at noon. The work in the morning was mainly taken up with general formalities. Thu president, Rev. F. Copeland, occupied the chair. The matter of appointing a secretary for next year was left to the nomination of the incoming chairman of the district. Hearty votes of thanks were extended to the president for his genial and able control of all sessions, the synod oflicers, the trustees of the Marton Church, the hosts and hostesses for the care of the representatives during their stay in the district, the ladies of the church for providing refreshments, the choir for the able assistance on the night of the conversazione, those responsible for the beautiful Howers in the church, and to the Press. Special mention was made of the work executed by the choir on the Tuesday evening. Their contribution to the evening meeting was much appreciated, and their high standard of singing enjoyed. The reading of the journal and the Benediction by the chairman concluded the synod meeting. Most members returned home yesterday afternoon. ARTS AND CRAFTS WORK DISPLAY BY MARTON D.H.S. PUPILS A display of arts and crafts work and general handwork, described by the chairman of the Wanganui Education Board, Mr. E. F. Hemingway, on Tuesday morning, as of outstanding excellence, has been on exhibition in the Marton District High School. Thu work is indeed executed with superlative skill, reflecting the greatest credit on the pupils and the members of the start responsible for the teaching of this important side of the school curriculum. Of particular interest to the casual visitor, perhaps naturally enough, is the line display of arts and crafts by secondary department pupils, whose work embraces brass and pewter work, tapestry work, the making of artificial Howers, woof rug-making, leather work, reel loom and wicker work, and weaving on hand looms, one of which has been most ingeniously improved upon by the headmaster, Mr. A. W. Tucker. Mr. Tucker and Miss V. Wilkinson have been teaching the weaving, and Miss O. Holgerson, Miss Wilkinson and Mr. 1. Klitscner the arts ana crafts.

To record here a description of the various useful and ornamental articles in display would not adequately give any conception of the variety and excellence of the work which, in the words of the great Barnum, "must be seen to be believed.” The progress made by the senior students in the past year—for this type of work is a new departure in the secondary school—is amazing. The work of inc primary pupils shows the same careful tuition ana, in many cases, exceptional aptitude, as that of the secondary. From the tiny tots’ modelling, papier mache and needle-work to the standard six pupils’ woodwork, handwork and basKetwork, the creative instinct has been given every encouragement, and the results are as surprising to the visitor as they must be gratifying to the teacher, the pupils, and their parents. MARTON MUNICIPAL BAND Weather permitting, the Marton Municipal Band will render a musical programme in the Marton Bark tomorrow afternoon commencing at 2.45 o'clock. It is noped tiiat the public will support the band by attending. WELCOME RAIN A good soaking rain was experienced over the Rangitikei district on Friday, and was of universal benefit to the whole of the population. The continued dry weatner in the past nas caused considerably anxiety. PERSONAL A distinct loss to the sporting community of Rangitikei is tne departure to-day of Mr. Alex Blair, of Greauord, to 1 rentham. Mr. Blair has spent two years as porter at the Greatford Railway Station. During his short stay in this district, Mr. Blair has entered whole-heartedly into all branches of sport, of which the most important was Rugby football. His first season out, he played for Mai ton Old Boys’ seniors, but in the season just concluded he turned out for Bulls. His capabilities as a hardworking and powerful forward were soon recognised by the selectors, and he found a way into the Rangitikei and Wanganui representative teams. He created something of a record this season by participating in 38 games, and only once being injured. In hockey circles, too, his presence was felt, having been a very impartial referee, while he also took part in seve:<d men’s hockey tournaments. Last season he joined up with the Bulls Tennis Club. Several times he rode on the track at the weekly night sports meetings at Marton. All his many friends will wish Mr. Blair every success in his new surroundings. Should he decide to play football in the capital, he will probably turn out for Hutt.