THE COMPETITIONS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1265, 21 October 1911, Page 13

THE COMPETITIONS.

STATEMENT BY THE SECRETARY. On the eve of (lie first annual festival of tlits New Zealand Competitions' Society, the secretary (.".r. James Dykes) rnakej a few explanations. Ho says: "The response of competitors lias been heartily hncfccil liy the response of the public. The valuable list of special prizes, got together in a couple of days or so, shows conclusively v.hat the business men uf think of the project. We have had any quantity of inspiring encouragement, and virtually, no disappointments. The competitors' are drawn from all clasfns. Some are students, some aro mechanics, some are tradesmen, some are teachers, and some are following one or other of the professions. Of the ladies, somo arc at business or still studying; and some are home girls." And you havo no doubt about your audiencos? "Doubt? Man alive, we havo already had to slop issuing season tickets. Already one of oiu' perplexities lies in tho fact that for the popular evening sessions tho big Town Hall will not bo big enough. I tell you, there are enormous possibilities in tills movement. Personally, I shall not bo surprised if samo day wo havo to build our own great hall, as the people of Ballarat havo had to do. But that's looking rather far ahead, isn't it?"