"The kill-joys tells us," she writes, "that it is indecent for two young people — or two old people, for that matter — to move so closely together to the dreamy strains of a band. They would know, if they ever danced at all, that the mind is so fully occupied when dancing that the passions simply do not come into play one little bit. A man has to think of many things — his partner, his hold, his steps, the music, his guiding. A woman has to be on the alert for each movement of the male. There is no time for ‘immorality.’
"And I have noticed, too, that the feelings aroused by dancing are frank comradeship, jollity, and laughter. It is a clean recreation — and a safe one. In some cities there is an increasing tendency to lower lights during dances other than waltzes, and this practice may have lent colour to the opinions of the people against dancing. Personally, I think the practice need not be too seriously deplored. It seems to be forgotten that the dance hall is probably the meeting place for many sweethearts, and that it is their own little spot for a few hours’ romance."
Site for Sara Cohen School
The Hudson Trust, through the Hon Mark Cohen MLC, has made an offer to Sir James Parr and the Director of Education (Mr J. Caughley) of a site for an open air school at Caversham, which might be used for the help of backward school children.
It was demonstrated to the Minister what a necessity such a school was, and he was shown an acre of land at Kew, half of which would be given to the Government if it would undertake the erection of an open air school on its property. The estimated cost of the building, according to Mr Cohen, would be about £450. Mr Caughley was of the opinion that such a school would be of benefit to the community, and the Minister stated that the Government would subsidise such an enterprise at the rate of £2 for £1 up to £250.
Roslyn boy decorated
The Governor-General (Sir Chas. Fergusson) paid a visit of inspection to the Boy Scouts’ Camp at Tahuna Park yesterday afternoon.
The troops formed in the usual half-circle after the march past, and Scout Hitt, of the Roslyn Troop, was called from the ranks to be decorated by His Excellency with the bronze medal for bravery for going to the rescue of two drowning men.
Telling the story, His Excellency said that the would-be rescuer had got into difficulties in attempting to save another. Scout Hitt went into the water and risked his life to save those of his fellows. Though one was drowned, he succeeded in saving the other. It was for this he was to be decorated.
"In this boy’s act of courage," said his Excellency, "there is an example which every scout present should strive to emulate. You are all, as I am, proud of Scout Hitt, and honour him as a man, and admire him as a scout."
Three hearty cheers for Scout Hitt were given by 1200 lusty young throats, and the honoured and blushing boy returned to his unit. — ODT, 22.1.1926
