CHAKUNE MARCHING DISPLAY

Wanganui Chronicle, 28 January 1948, Page 2

CHAKUNE MARCHING DISPLAY

WANGANUI TEAMS AS VISITORS (0.C.) Ohakune, Jan. 27 In brilliant sunshine the Ohakune Ladies’ Marching Association held its first public marching display on Ruapehu Park at Ohakune on Sunday before a considerable number of residents and visitors from Wanganui, Raetihi, Taihape and surrounding districts. In order to assist with the display the Wanganui Marching Association brought a number of teams, which was much appreciated by the local girls. The colourful uniforms made a gay splash of colour against the natural green of the bush surrounding the park, with Mount Ruapehu in the distance. The following teams took part in the display:—The Australasian champion team (Wanganui Fusiliers), dressed in black and silver; Celtic, dressed in green; McKenzie's, dressed in the McKenzie tartan; Relax team, dressed in black and gold; Troubadours, in red and white; Guards, In red and white; United, in grey and white; McGruer’s, in cerise; Raetihi in green and white; with the local girls in white and red. The proceedings opened with the "Salute to the Colours" by the leaders of each team who gave a display of marching, finishing with the placing of the colours of each team in special holders in front of the visitors' stand. This was followed by an official welcome to the visiting teams and officials by the Mayor (Mr. H. F. L. Delamar), who remarked that it was a great pleasure to see so many teams coming forward to assist the local girls to become established in Ohakune as a marching team, and that he hoped more would come forward and swell their numbers. Mr. Wright, president of the New Zealand Marching Association, replied on behalf of the visitors, and in the course of his remarks stated that he was agreeably surprised at the progress made by the Ohakune team. The speaker stated that this was the first occasion that the Ohakune team had performed in public, and the performance was such that he was of the opinion that it would stand comparison with the best teams in the country. At a recent meeting held in Wanganui of the New Zealand Marching Association it had been decided to hold a monster display and competitions in Ohakune ,on February 21. There would be about 40 teams taking part and they would be coming from as far apart as Masterton to New Plymouth. The girls would be staying over the week-end in Ohakune to visit the various points of interest in the dis. trict. Mr. Wright mentioned that when the Fusiliers team had visited Australia they had been very impressed by the growth of the movement there. One firm, with 5000 employees, had turned out 50 teams. Next Easter in Sydney there was to be a competition for marching teams with prizes worth £2OOO to be won. The speaker then remarked that as far as Ohakune was concerned they should have no difficulty at all in raising at least teams in the district, and he called upon all girls to rally round and give the local team all the support that they could. The Ohakune team then gave a polished display of marching, which was followed by a combined display of all teams in the form of a large figure eight. During the intervals of displays by the various teams several items were given. The winner of the "Deanna Durbin" competition recently held in Wanganui rendered a very popular song, and the members of the Fusiliers team gave a rendering of their haka. The Walmarino Silver Band playeo the marches for the various events and incidental music which was much appreciated by the public. The display terminated with a massed march by all the teams, which was followed by the leaders recovering the various teams’ flags. ' The whole of the teams then massed In front of the stand while the band played the National Anthem.