COMPETITIONS, SOCIETY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1370, 22 February 1912, Page 3

COMPETITIONS , SOCIETY.

THE MEiIBBKSniP QUESTION,

An important meeting of the New Zealand Competitions Society was held in the rooms of Jlessrs. Guaiter, Dykes anil Co. at 5 o'clock last' evening. Thero were present: Dr. A. Izard (chairman), the Eov. Father Hickson, Messrs. NY J[ Atack, J. M. Clark, J. JI. Geddis • H Plimmer, G. Winder, Win. Allen,-J. D. bievwright, E. Blundcll, — Keegan, and J. Dykes (secretary). It was announced that owing to tho reiusal of Mr. Harry Hill, of Melbourne, to act as judge of the elocutionary sections in tho coming competitions, communication liad been established with another professional elocutionist in Sydney. His reply to the society's cablo —150 guineas. , ; His offer was taken as a joke, and his name was passed out of the discussion. Other names were then submitted to the meeting-, and it was decided on the voices to appoint Mr. J. F. Montague, of Auckland, to tho position. Those interested will remember that Mr. Montague visited Wellington prior to the last competitions, and, assisted by a few of his elocutionary friends, Rave very acceptable readings of*"Twelfth Night" and G. B. Shaw's play "Captain Brassbound's Conversion." Mrs. Ernest H. Quoree was appointed accompanist for the competitions. Tho secretary announced that he had communicated with nearly all those who contributed special prizes last year, nnd they hiid generally renewed their offers of prizes. In addition to that a committee, consisting of the Eev. Father Hickson, and Messrs. J. M. Clark, J. M. Geddis, E. Blundell, and 'William Allen, was set up to canvass the city for other special prizes. Owing to tho groat success of last vear's competitions, it is confidently expected that this list will'be largely augmented. It was decided, on tho suggestion of the chairman, supported by Mr. Georgo Winder, that an effort should bo made to strengthen the finances of the society by inviting as many as are interested to become members of the society, nnd it was alarmed that .£1 Is. subscription per annum would entitle any person (on nllin» ra the application form, and subject to tno approval of the committee) to membership, and a single soasin ticket to tho competitions (demonstration nights excluded). The advantages of being a member of tha society are tsvofold. Members may attend tho annual general meeting of the society, and are eligible for office" and they ha jo tie privilego of booking their seats for the performances on I date prior to the general public. Anpliciition form* may be obtained from the secretary (Mr. J. !)ykes). _ Inttio matter of a judge for the stringed instrument sccl ion, it was reported that a letter had been forwarded to Mr. Loih Cohen, of Wnnganui, but no answer had been received. It «■»., mentioned thn Mr. Cohen had been absent from Waiiganui for somo days. B