On Friday 21^st April, a gymnastic competition took place between the Manchester and Pendleton schools. The two teams and many spectators assembled shortly before three o' clock. The headmistresses of the two schools, Miss Burstall and Miss Butcher, took their seats on the platform. Miss Thomas acted as the umpire.

Miss Ison, the Pendleton gymnastic mistress and her team formed into a line. They began with a series of free arm movements. The prone - falling especially received applause. This was followed by exercises on the bar. The bent arm movements attempted by three or four girls were admirable. Turning on the bar was then succeeded by balance walking which was certainly one of the most graceful exercises in the display. Then the ropes were dropped and the climbing began. Only about a third of the team succeeded in reaching the top for the ropes were at a considerable height. The last item was the high jumping. This started at 2 feet 10 inches, the girls dropping out after missing on three tries until three were left who jumped 3 feet 10 inches.

Amid the applause of all present the Pendleton girls changed places with the Manchester twenty who, at Miss May's prompt command, formed into a double line. The free arm movements, exercises on the bar and turns quite came up to the standard of the rival team. In lightness and general smartness, however, our girls were vastly superior. Instead of balance walking, the Manchester team vaulted over the bar, reaching a considerable height and were ably caught by Miss May in spite of her sprained wrist. We surpassed the Pendleton girls on the ropes and very few failed to reach the top. Our display ended most brilliantly with high jumping. Ten of the twenty girls jumped 3 feet 10 inches and we are proud to say one girl reached 4 feet 3 inches.

We were not surprised to hear Miss Thomas' decision. The victory was ours. The room rang heartily with loud applause.