PRINCE’S RINK.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1053, 12 May 1910, Page 17

PRINCE’S RINK.

THE NEW SALON DE LUXE. (See Illustrations, Pages 11 and 13.) Interest in rinking is on the increase, and there is no falling off in the patronage extended to the Prince’s Rink, which, under the admirable management of M. Gonard, that pastmaster in the art of graceful and accomplished skating, is attaining a popularity that is fast making it one of the most notable places of recreation in the Dominion. The old Portman Rooms have been transformed into what is, perhaps, the ’ finest rink, or series of rinks (for there are more than one) in the country. And, under what is known as the Gonard system, the beginner has just as much opportunity for enjoying herself or himself, as the finished skater, without incurring any of the risks that attach to skating elsewhere. There are special learners’ rooms or rinks f° r gentlemen and ladies, and a third for ladies who desire to have the help and tuition of gentlemen friends in the art of rinking. Each of these rinks is fitted up with ropes, along which the beginner may walk until she or he becomes accustomed to the skates and is able to glide around the room unaided. Falls in learning are thus reduced to an absolute minimum, and

the one instructor does for the gentlemen, with an instructress for the ladies, under Mr. Gonard’s supervision. The rink proper, or Salon de Luxe, as it is called, is a very fine apartment, giving about 10,000 ft of floor space, and is, we believe (since the closing of the Colosseum in Christchurch) the largest rink in the Dominion. A special stand or platform is provided, with seating accommodation for spectators, chairs being also placed around the sides of the building for the skaters and their friends. Fast skating is not allowed except in the intervals, notices in large black letters on each side of the rink reminding skaters of the fact, and Mr. Gonard and his assistants being always on hand during the sessions to check those who, under the fascinating influence of the moment, might otherwise ignore the rule. There are now four, sessions daily at the rink —a morning session from 10 till noon, an afternoon session from 2.30 to 5 p.m., a “ business session” for ladies and gentlemen engaged in business from 5.15 to 7-15 p.m., and an evening session from 7.30 to 10 p.m. The “ business session” is becoming very popular, numbers of people dropping in after the business of the day is over to spend an hour or so rinking while the evening meal is being got ready, and many of them having tea in the well-equipped tea rooms which form such a pleasant adjunct to the rink. Enjoyable as the day sessions prove, however, the evening assembly is always the best. Then an excellent band is in attendance, and the skaters respond, more or less gracefully, according to their sex and proficiency, to the rhythm of the music—the fascinating waltz, the charming mazurka, the sprightly two-step, the majestic march or the delightful polka —which adds very pleasurably to the enjoyment of the hour. There is a specified programme carried out, with intervals, during which the ladies leave the floor to the fast skaters, or the gentlemen give place to the ladies, and the centre of the floor is given up to figure and fancy skating. It is all very fascinating and enjoyable, the best of order being maintained, and ten o’clock has a habit of coming round all too quickly, for that is the closing hour, and prompt to time the rink is emptied of the crowd of plea-sure-seekers until the morrow. The cloakroom arrangements are admirable, nothing being wanting in providing for the comfort and convenience of visitors to the Rink, a fact upon which the management is to be heartily commended. But then Mr. Hayward has shown us in his enterprises that he and those associated with him are masters of detail in catering for the public amusement.