The Skating Rink.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 176, 31 July 1888, Page 2

The Skating Rink.

The Theatre Royal Rink was crowded on Saturday night, the main feature of attraction being the ladies’ skating competition, restricted to those ladies who only learned this season. There were a good many entries, though all of those who entered had not the courage to come forward. Shortly after the appointed time, eight took the floor—the Misses Laura Langford, Nellie Queenin, Bella Porter, Wyllie, Young, Townley, Tucker, and “ Dotty ” Johnston. Miss Langford retired almost immediately, but all the others skated until time was up. Miss Porter’s skating was a theme of admiration, her graceful roll, with her fine figure, being hard to get comparison with, and she did what is known as the outer edge movement in capital style. But where she was lacking was in what are termed •• fancy ” movements, and in this Miss Wyllie had a considerable advantage. The latter skated much more lightly and with a graceful ease, doing all that Miss Porter could do, though in some points not so well, but also skating backwards very nicely. Between these two ladies both prizes most undoubtedly rest, but the choice must be left to the judges An uninitiated onlooker would no doubt give Miss Porter the palm, but to experienced skaters the decision would be a most difficult one, and we are inclined to the opinion that Miss Wyllie has the advartage. All the other ladies skated exceedingly well for their short experience. Miss Tucker, Miss Townley and Miss Queenin went through the plain movements very nicely, and though they could not compete with the first-named ladies, their skating was much admired. Miss Young has only recently commenced learning, but had the event been a handicap one, it would not have been safe to give her many points. Miss Johnston was the youngest skater, and she glided round very gracefully, giving promise of being a first-class rinker in a few months. On the whole, the exhibition was well worthgg witnessing, and it proved in what a short q space of time young people can attain proficiency. The judges are to give their decision this evening. The first prize is a special pair of skates, presented by Messrs Anderson and Morrison (Dunedin manufacturers), and the second is a musical dressing toilet ornament, presented by Messrs Garrett and McKee. The first prize was carried on by the steamer, and therefore only the order can be given this evening. The second prize is on view in the window of Mr Fraser, Jeweller. Next Thursday evening there will be a race which will be certain to excite a considerable amount of interest, being a Hussars' race—the steeds of course being left in the stable, and wheels bring the substitutes. Borne of , the Hussars are quite as much at home on the skates as Captain Coleman was on his old grey, and perhaps nearly as fast, so there ought to be a keen contest. The prise is a handsome Hussar’s bridle.

A Melbourne correspondent writes • —The roller-skating craze is now at its height in Victoria, and there are about fifty rinks in Melbourne and immediate suburbs, while a weekly newspaper called ths "Rinking News,” has been started to represent and cater for those who go roller skating. Carnivals are the order of the night, and they take a variety of forms. Flower Carnivals, Paper Carnivals, White Carnivals, Masked Carnivals, Apron and Necktie Carnivals, and goodness knows what not in the line, not to mention exhibitions at all the rinks of fancy and trick skating. The visitors to a Southern rink were photographed by magnesium light a few evenings ago.