COMPETITIONS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1605, 23 November 1912, Page 6

COMPETITIONS.

EIGHTH DAY. THE LITERATURE AWARDS. THE CHAMPION PIANO CONTEST. After an interval of a day, the Competitions resumed at the Town Hall yesterday. There were large attendances of the public throughout the day. The competitions opened with the musical monologue and baritone contests, but public interest was chiefly centred upon the "Chappell grand" contest for pianoforte players, the first prize in which was a handsome grand piano, presented for competition by F. J. Pinny, Ltd., of Wellington, and valued at £125. This contest is being taken in sections, and the first section was completed yesterday. To-day the second section and the finals will take place. The piano concerto competition, which was held late in.the afternoon, was won by Misses Lilian Harper and Lottie Barker, both of Christchurch. THE RESULTS. The results in the various contests were as follow:— Musical Monologue. Musical Monologue (gentlemen), own selection, Dramatic or Pathetic; not Humorous. First prize, £2; second, £1; third, certificate. Entrants—Mr. Harry Basil Cooper, Wellington; Mr. John K. Hornblow ,("A Fallen-Star"), Foxton; Mr Norman Ait--ken ("'Is Pipe"), Wellington; Mr S. Orr ("Devil May Care"), Waikaka; Mr. Kenneth Aitken. (the Scene Between the Duke of Buckingham and Queen Anne of Austria), Levin; Mr. Jas. Culford Bell ("The Fallen, Star"), Lower Hutt, Mr. William Robert Millier ("A Royal Heart"), Wellington; Mr. Stanley Rankin ("A Bunch of Roses"), Wellington; Mr. Byron Brown ("Crossing the Bar" ), Otaki; Mr. T. H. Kenny ("A Bunch of Roses"), Dunedin. Recalls—S. Rankin, Byron Brown; and T. H. Kenny. The judge (Mr. Montague) said that he had heard that he had coached one of tje competitors he proposed to recall. This, he said, was an absurd suggestion. Nothing of the kind had been done. Regarding Mr. Bell's selection, the judge said that it was far and away the best thing he had done. Mr. Norman Aitken was also warmly commended. Results—Mr. Rankin (l95 - marks), 1; Mr. Kenny (189 marks), 2; Mr. Brown (188 marks), 3. Bass Solo. Bass Solo—Test Piece, "The Wanderer" (Schubert). First prize, £1; second, 10s.; third, certificate. Entrants—Mr. A. M'Donald, Christchurch; Mr. W. J. Spratt, Christchurch; Mr. E. H. Short, Hataitai. The judge (Mr. Wolf) recalled Messrs. W. J. Spratt and E. H. Short. Results—Mr Short (138 marks), 1; Mr. Spratt (134 marks), 2. Duet (Tenor and Baritone). Duet : (gentlemen)— Test Piece, "Moon Hath Raised Her Lamp," from "Lily of Killarney" (Benedict). First prize, £2; second, £1; third, certificate. Entrants—Mr. Herbert Harre and Mr. Harry Gill, Christchurch; Mr. Harry Phipps and Mr. F. W. Laycock, Wellington. Recalls—Messrs; H. Harre and H. Gill, and. Messrs. H. Phipps and .F. W. Laycock. Results—Messrs. Phipps and Laycock (132 marks), 1. Champion Piano Solo. Champion Piano Solo (previous winners barred)— Test Piece, "Grand Polonaise" in A Flat op. 53 (Chopin); "Nocturne" in D Flat (Theodor Dohler). First prize, £125, grand Chappell piano, presented by F. J. Pinny, Ltd., Wellington ; second, £10 (or trophy to that value); third, certificate. Entrant's—First section: Miss A. Remington, Wellington; Mrs. P. O'Kane, Hataitai; Miss L. Harper, Christchurch; Mr. L. D. Fruhauf; Wellington; Miss P. P. Hanify, Wellington; Mr. J. C. Leonard, Palmerston North; Miss A. E. Becker, Gore; Miss E. L. Morgan, Timaru; Miss A. H. E. Shearsby Wanganui. Proceeding. Dramatic Recital. Dramatic Recital (Gentlemen)—Test Piece, "Herve Riel" (Browning). First prize, £2; second, £1; third, Certificate. Entrants—Mr. S. Orr, Gore; Mr. A. J. Mason, Petone; Mr. C. Palliser, Wellington; Mr. H. B. Cooper, Wellington; Mr. Stanley Rankin, Wellington; Mr. J. C. Bell, Lower Hutt; Mr. W. S. Andrews, Balfour; Mr. Byron Brown, Otaki; Mr. T. H. Kenny, Dunedin; Mr. A. L. Tressider, Masterton. Recalls—Messrs., Stanley Rankin, Byron Brown, and T. H. Kenny. Result—Mr. 1 Brown (147 marks), 1. Humorous Recitation. Humorous Recitation, own selection (open only to Competitors who have been resident in Wellington Province for the preceding 18 months). First prize, £1; second, 10s.; third, Certificate. Entrusts—Miss Marie Fix, Wellington; Mr. James Culford Bell ("Proposals"), Lower Hutt; Mrs. C. S. Keedwell, Levin; Mr. Cyril S. Girdlestone, Wellington; Miss Cecile Haines ("A Trip to Blackpool"), Wellington; Miss J. D. Petrie ("Why," by Barry Pain), Wellington; Miss E. Marion M'Eldowney, Wellington ; Miss Eva Russell ("A Trip to Blackpool"), Wellington; Mr. H. .B. Cooper, Wellington; Miss Pauline Brown, Otaki; Miss Phyllis Adams ("The Bald-headed Man"), Wellington; Miss Ada Marie Moller ("Trials of a School Mistress"), Wellington; Miss Gwendoline Shepherd, Wellington; Miss Ivie Shearer ("The Boy Who Daren't"), Wellington; Miss Florjence Dix ("Auntie's Wedding''), Wellington; Master Fergus Reeves ("The Kid"), Wellington; Miss Belle Luke, Wellington; Mr. Byron Brown ("Our Guide in Rome"), Otaki; Miss Dorothy Blanchard ("The Girl and the Gloves"), Wellington; MissIvy Hargreaves, Wellington; Mr. J. P. Delahunty, Petone; Miss H. Jeffery, Wellington; Master Leonard Power ("Only a Boy"), Wellington. Recalls—Seniors: Miss Bell and Mr. J. C. Bell; juniors: Misses Haines and H. Jeffery, and Masters L. Power and F. Reeves. . Results—Juniors: Miss Haines (140 marks), 1; Miss' H. Jeffery and Master L. Power (135 marks), 2; F. Reeves (134 marks), 3. Piano Concerto. Piano Concerto (two performers)— Test Pieces, Concert Stuck Op. 79 (C. M. Von Weber). Orchestral accompaniment played on second piano. First prize, £4; second, £2; third, Certificate. Entrants—Miss Lilian Harper and Miss Lottie Barker, Christchurch; Miss Madaline and Miss Dorothy White, Auckland. Result—Miss L. Harper and Miss L. Barker. Literature. (1). Essay, open to children attending the primary schools in Wellington and suburbs. 1, books to value of £3; 2, books to value of £1 10s; 3, books to value of 15s. Subject: —"A New Zealand Industry." To be written in school or place to be appointed, without assistance, certified by teacher. Time limit, two hours. Not less than 500 words and not more than 750 words The prizes in this section are donated by the Wellington Provincial Industrial Association. Results.—Miss N. Gibbons, Wellington, 1, Miss E. Martin, Island Bay, 2; Master L. O. Atkinson, Kilbirnie, 3. The judge (Mr. W. F. Ward) said that the essays in this class were well composed. In fact, a good deal of difficulty was met with in separating the competitors. The chief fault in some of the essays was the fact that the competitors overloaded their essays with_ fact. . Mr. Ward commented on the fact that more essays were sent in by girls than boys. The winner of this contest is a pupil of the Terrace School, and a daughter of Mr. J. R. Gibbons, 88 Nairn Street. Curiously enough, her brother, Huon Gibbons won the same competition last year. (2). Essay under 18 (declaration will be required that it is the unassisted work of the competitor). Not less than 500 nor more than 1000 words. 1, silver medal or books; 2, bronze medal; 3, certificate. Choice of three subjects :— 1, The Conquest of the Air. 2, Antarctic Exploration. 3, "Home keeping youths have ever homely wits." Results.—Master F Mr Jenkins, Wel-

lington, 1; Master C. G. H. Hoben, High School, Palmerston North, 2; Master H. Donaldson, Petone, 3. The judge (Mr.. W. F. Ward) warmly commended Miss E. Maddeley's (Masterton) work. (3). Essay, any age. Not less than 1000 nor more than 1500 words. 1, £3; 2, £1; 3, certificate. Choice of three subjects: —1. The Importance of the Study of History. 2. An Awkward Asia. 3. "Not once or twice in our rough Island Story, The Path of Duty was the way to Glory." Results—Rev. A. B. Chappell, Feilding, 1; Mr. F. J. Carter, Wellington, 2; Mr. J. Johnstone, Morrinsville (Waikato), 3. "The three that I have placed," said Mr. Ward, "have sent in extremely good work, which was thoroughly well written.''' (4). Criticism. Maximum, 1500 words. Subject: Thackeray's "Esmond. 1, £2; 2, £1; 3, certificate. Results.—Rev. A. B. Chappell, Feilding, 1; Mr. F. J. Carter, Wellington, 2; Miss M. C. Callan, Dunedin, 3. "The competitors in this class, said Mr. Ward, "showed a most thorough understanding of the appreciation of the novel and its author. The English was also very clear. (5). Original Story (any subject). First prize, £5; second, £2; third, certificate. Maximum number of words 4000. Results—Mrs. G. E. Gray, Wellington, 1; Mr. Guy N. Morris, Cromwell, 2; Mrs. J. M. Ansford, Rangiora, 3. "In this class," said Mr. Ward, "it was a very difficult matter to reduce the number of competitors from thirty to eight or nine. Many of tho competitors failed to grasp the fact that in a short story of, say, 2000 words, it must be bright, and move quickly." (6). Essay (open to all). Maximum, 2500 words. First prize, £4; second, £2; third, certificate. Choice of three subjects:—1. The Industrial Problem. 2. A Comparison of Elizabethan and Modern Drama. 3. Influence of Climate on National Character. Results—Mr. E. Hodgkinson, Invercargill, 1; Mr. T. A. Williams, Christchurch, 2; Mr. J. Johnstone, Morrinsville. 3. "There were eight essays in this section," said Mr. Ward, "and some of them were of a very high standard. The essays were very well written. Mr. Ward added that it must be very beneficial to the community to possess persons who could put their ideas into such good English." Oration. Oration, own selection from a speech by eminent orator. Time limit, 8 minutes. First prize, £2; second, £1; third, certificate. Entrants—Mr. Jas. Culford Bell ("Lord Chatham on the American War"), Lower Hutt; Mr. Thomas Watson ("British Government in America," by P. Henry), Feilding; Mr. R. A. Keenan, Wellington; Miss Ethel Churchill, Dunedin; Mr. Joseph Spillane ("Emmett's Speech"), Wellington; Mr. Humphrey Dillon Moynihan ("The Downfall of Bonaparte'), Wellington; Mr. Byron Brown ("Curran on Universal Emancipation"), Otaki; Mr. John J. Barry ("Abolition of Slavery" ), Wellington; Mr. Clarence N. Rabone, Wellington; Mr. W. S. Andrews ("Patrick Henry's Address"), Balfour; Mr. S. Orr, Waikaka; Mr. J. Laurenson ("Shiel's Reply"), Methven; Mr. J. P. Delahunty, Petone. Results—Mr. T. Watson (146 marks), 1; Mr. J.C. Bell (143 marks), 2; Mr. R. A. Keenan (140 marks), 3. School Choir Contest.. School Choir Contest—(a) "Ivy and Mistletoe: (b) Two-part Study (unaccompanied), to be sung to Ah, O, or OO. Mt. Cook Girls' School. The judge (Mr. Wolf) said that he was sorry to see that only one school competed for the prize. It seemed to him a pity that school children did not enter, as he thought the education of a singer commenced at the school. Little children at school should be taught singing. The singing taught in schools of to-day was simply a farce. The judge was of opinion that steps should be taken, so that qualified teachers would be appointed to teach singing in the schools. THE EVENING ENTERTAINMENT. AND OFFICIAL CRITIQUES. There was a large audience present at the evening entertainment. The winners of the piano concerto—Misses Lilian Harper and Lottie Barker, both of Christchurch—delighted the audience with their playing of the test piece. Mr. Alan M'Elwain, elocutionist, and the competitions, stage manager, recited "Mrs. Brown at the Play." Mr. M'Elwain was loudly applauded, and had to respond to an encore. In, the final of the musical monologue (gentlemen), Messrs. S. Rankin ("A Bunch of Roses"), B. Brown ("Crossing the Bar"), and T. H. Kenny ("A Bunch of Roses") competed. The judge (Mt. Mortague) said that Mr. Rankin gave a clean and delightful performance. He commmented on the fact that he played his own accompaniment, and said that he was evidently a good performer. In the basso solo contest final, Messrs. E. H. Short (Hataitai) and W. J. Spratt (Christchurch) competed. The judge (Mr. Wolff) said that Mr. Short (the winner) possessed a good bass voice, and good tone. Messrs. Phipps and Laycock, who won the men's duet, were complimented by the judge (Mr. Wolff), who said that their voices blended well, especially in the upper register, which was very good. Mr. Montague, judge of the humorous recitation contest, said that the class had been divided into two sections—seniors and juniors. He gave the first place to little Miss Haines, aged about six years, remarking that he did not think Miss Haines did such good work in this class as she had done in other classes. He placed little Miss Jeffery and Master Leonard Power second, and observed that he did not think the former's piece was very suitable. Master Fergus Reeves came third. The judge said, referring to young Master Reeves, that he wished the teachers would not try to make the children illustrate every word. He did not think it was good to illustrate every word—suggestion was much better. In the dramatic recital, the judge said that Mr. Brown, was easily ahead of the other two competitors. RULES BROKEN. (To the Editor.) Sir,—I see in this morning's issue that Mr. Dykes admits he is to blame in not making it clear to Mrs. Queree that her pupils were not eligible except in the "open" sections. The other point, which is a very strong one, he entirely ignores, that is, the rules printed in the general conditions—see Nos. 14 and 15, in which it shows that vocalists get no rehearsal except in the "open" sections, and humorous. Therefore the committee (Mr. Dykes and Mrs. Queree) all pass over those rules when they allow her to play for her own pupils. I am told by a wellknown person in this town that everyone knows Mr. Howse is a pupil of Mrs. Queree. I was also told he sang recently at her pupils' concert, so that the committee and Mr. Dykes cannot plead ignorance of the fact, and the attitude the committee have taken towards Mr. Howse (under the circumstances) is astounding. Mrs. Queree knows the rules—it was she who called by attention to them, and pointed out the fact that I could play for my own pupils in the "open" section; I had not realised this before. This is all I have to say on the subject. I have taken my pupils three years' running to the Napier competitions, and everything has been most fair and square. If the Wellington committee do not adhere to their rules they cannot expect support from teachers and their pupils.—l am, etc., EMILY BRIGGS. November 22. THE CHOIR TESTS. (To the Editor.) Sir,—l am very glad to see that the judge of the Competitions expressed an adverse opinion as to the choice of subjects for the choir competitions. At last year's meeting, "Thanks be to God," from the "Elijalh," and this year "How Great is the Depth," from the "St. Paul," were the two tests to be sung, and (save the mark!) accompanied by the piano! Anyone who has the least knowledge of such music knows that to get any effect in such massive works three hundred voices at least are necessary. I have not the least idea as to who is responsible for such a choice but when there is the

whole gamut of English and foreign church music to select from it is a very sorry error to make choice of such totally unsuitable works as these. A church choir consists of from forty, say to sixty, voices, not of two or three hundred, and there is a wealth of music from which a proper selection could be made. Such an anthem as Wesley's "Thou Wilt Keep Him in Perfect Peace," Goss's "Wilderness," or if modern work is wanted, Brahm's "How Lovely is Thy Dwellingplace!" or "Stanford's Service in B Flat' would offer a test piece suited to the normal capacity of any church choir. Further, I venture to think that such tests should take place under service conditons, i.e., either the anthem should be sung unaccompanied, or that it should be sung with the organist at the organ. In either of these ways the anthem is given every Sunday in church or chapel. But to set such choruses as have been chosen, and then to accompany them on the piano, is enough to keep any selfrespecting choir from competing. Lastly, under normal choir conditions, there should be no-conductor except at practices —the organist must get his effects by the tastefulness of his accompaniments and the response of his choir to them. I firmly believe that if my suggestions were followed out there would be a far better response than there has been this year on the part of choirs throughout the colony.—l am, etc., W. K. FYFFE, M.D. November 22, 1912. TO-DAY'S PROGRAMME. The principal attraction of to-day's programme is the champion piano solo contest, the first price in which is a Chappell grand piano, valued at £125. The second section of entrants will compete during the day, and the final is to take place in the big hall this evening. At 3.15 p.m. the baritone solo will be heard in the big hall, the test piece being Blumenthal's "Across the Far Blue Hills." The violin solo will take place in the Concert Hall, at 10 a.m., and at 2 p.m. the ladies' dramatic recital will be taken.