COMPETITIONS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1609, 28 November 1912, Page 6

COMPETITIONS.

A BIG DAY. . SONQS OF THE EMERALD ISLE. PREPARED SPEECHES AND - CHARACTER. SKETCHES With the finer -weather, matters brightened considerably at the Town Hall yesterday, and large uudieucos were the rule throughout tlie day. the Irish song contest, which induced a generous entry, lured a large audience to tho big hall in the afternoon, and the costume sketches in the Concert Chamber drew a packed house. Amonc the other attractions for the day were the prepared readings for ladies and gentlemen (separate classes), the mezao soprano solo, cornet solo, and piano duet, and impromptu speech for ladies. A FEW IMPRESSIONS, Contrary to expectations, tho prepared speech class did not attract a very largo audience. Perhaps the Irish song contest that was being held in the largo hall below was held to provide a better entertainment, yet several of the speeches delivered, particularly- those on "Tho Awaking of China," that delivered by Messrs. Hanlon and Watson, of Palmerston North, were particularly interesting. The subject of Mr. Treadwell (the winner) was the "Fourth Estate." The lady competitors in tho prepared speech class were also good—Miss Prentice (the winner), in particular, showing plenty of assurance, a happy delivery, and fairly good matter. In the character sketches (in costume), Miss Marie Fix did her very best work in Queen Katherine's speech in "Henry VIII." She was admirably costumed, looked very charming, and showed a trice dramatic touch to give grip and circumstance to the mingled sorrow and scorn of the ill-used queen. Miss Amy Bender selected Queen Anne (the opening speech in the first act of "Richard III"), and did bettor than in any other .performance to date. With teaching, Miss Bender, would do really good work.; Mrs. Keedwell looked very well -in the ancient Egyptian dress as the outcast "Hagar;" She is intuitively dramatic, and has a fine voice, but it rather suffers' from lack of variety in key. Still, it was an effective performance. The gentlemen elocutionists entered upon the final stage for the championship in "Othello's Defence" from Shakespeare's tragedy of "Othello." There were bold Otliellos, soft, shy Othellos, terribly mechanical and serious Othellos, arid one very reasonable Othello (Mr. J. C. Bell). None of them exactly realised the nigged strength and simple stolidity with Which the Mow relates the story of his love. Mr. Bell got more meaning into his narrative and was more naturally intelligent than any of the others. Mr. Rankin , has a good voice and fair delivery and modulation, but modest stillness was not his. Mr. Byron Brown was inclined to be too. obsequious to the Senate, and his gestures were weak. He was too serious in his whole conception. Othello was a man of parts— a strong, successful man—and while wishing to explain away the stupid charges made against him, he cares little for tho Senate's opinion in the matter. Mr. Chairman was dull and mechanical, and Mr. Kenny was just a trifle ultra theatrical in style, though he has a good voice, and recites with intelligence. "Should Women Propose?" was the subject gAven for the ladies in the impromptu speech class. Mrs. O'Sullivan waxed quite poetical on this somewhat delicate subject, and after stating that it was much nicer to be proposed to than to propose, said that if the occasion offered and the setting -was right—it should be the springtime, and in tho moonlight— a woman might propose. The next competitor—Miss" her minute's reflection . was ended, .said: "No. I couldn't!" and fled, from the stage. Mrs. .Tansen did not think it would be wise for a lady to "pon the nuestion." It would not lie lady-like, end she did not think the gentleman would appreciate it. A young, lady might propose to a man and she might not suit him in any shape or form. (Laughter.) If she weve refused, she would feel very small, end from every point of view she thought that ladi»s should' not propose. "Yps, oertainlv, I do think women should propose!" commenced Mi=s Churchill, with Trent spirit. She b"lieved in women's mlits, and one of them should be the right to propose. Take the- rase of a shy man. He might lose his life's hapniness through his defect, -n-here-is jf the woman pronosed, it would m"en !mnp ; n"ss for Mil. Then she startedhalted nrain, apologised charmiT<"ly, ind "n the ting of th* lyll. ran off. Miss Coad was witty'and adroit right through her clever speech, and made 'groat ulay unnn "the" ou«stion being considered— tho matrimonial one. THE RESULTS. Mezzo-Soprano Solo, Mezzo-soprano solo—Tost piece, "Rose Softly Blooming" (L. Spohr). First prize, dCI; second, 10s.; third, certificate. Entrants-Miss H. A. Minifie. Wellington; 'Miss Ellen Johnson. AVellington; Mrs. G. R. Davidson. Wellington; Miss Nola Haym'ttle, AVellington; Miss E. Cameron, AA 7 ellington: Miss G. E. Moodv, Christchurch; Mrs. T. N. Johnson, AVellington : Miss Kathleen AVood, AVanganui; Mrs. Sifted. AVellington. Recalls—Misses' Haybittle and Cameron, and Mrs. T. N. Johnson. Result—l. Miss E. Cameron (129 marks); 2. Miss N. Haybittle (127 marks); 3, Mrs. Johnson (123 marks). Piano Duet. Piano Duet (over 16)— Test Piece, Third Movement (Allegro) from the "Pastoral Symphony" (Beethoven). First prize, .£2; second, £1; third, Certificate. Entrants—Miss. K. Clark and Miss.N. Clark, Wellington; Miss V. Lindberg and Miss E. Lindberg, Hataitai; Miss V. Lewis and Mrs. Fred. Crossley, Wellington; Miss K. M'Keown and Miss M. L. Paul, AVellington; Miss D. AVhite and Miss M. .Mitchell, Auckland; Miss Gwen. Shepherd -m<l Miss M. H. Shepherd, Kilbirnie. Recalls—Misses D. White and M. Mitchell, and Misses Gwen Shepherd and M. H. Shepherd. Results— 1, Misses. White and Mitchell (133 marks); Misses Shepherd (132 marks).' Cornet Solo. B Flat. Cornet Solo-Test Piece, "My Love i 9 Like a Red, Red Rose" (AA\ AA'oido). First prize, £2; second, £1; third, Certificate. Entrants-Mr. W. H. Stanley, Wellington; Mr. H. S. Jupp, AVeTlington; Mr. P. E. Cole, AA'ellington; Mr. Percy Reeves Blenheim; Mr. F. AV. Faber, AVellington. I Result-1, Jlr. Cole; 2, Mr. P. Reeves; 3, Mr. H. S. Jupp. Ladies' Prepared Speech. Prepared Speech (Ladies), time limit, 8 minutes. Three Competitors must appear or the item will be withdrawn. Choice of three subjects:—l. Florence Nightingale. 2. Women's Rights. 3. The Scenic Beauties of New Zealand. First prize, .£2; second, £1; third, Certificate. Entrants—Miss Melba Prentice (Women's Rights"), Stratford; Mrs. J. M. Jansen, Petone. Result—l, Miss Prentice (192 marks); 2, Mrs. Jansen (153 marks). The Rev. Father Hickson said there wero only two .competitors, and for that reason thev need not allot more than one prize, but it was really left to their discretion, and as both ladies had been very good indeed they had decided to givo two prizes. Tho composition, style," and matter had been very good. Mr. Clark described Miss Prentice as "a breath of summer," and Mrs. Jansen had a goo'd voice and pleasing personality, but lacked elocutionary qualities, modulation, nnd change of key. It was a secbion they wished to encourage very much, and hoped that the entries would be more numerous next time. Gentlemen's Prepared Speech. Prepared Speech (Gentlemen), time limit, 8 minutes. Three Competitors must appear or the item will be withdrawn. Choice of three tubjects:—l. The Civilisation of China. 2. The Fourth Estate. 3. "Breathes there a man with soul so dead, who never to him- . self hath said, This is my own my native land." First prize, £1; second, £1; third, Certificate. Entrants—Mr. J. Rainc, Wellington; Mr. C. A. L. Treadwell, Lower Hiitt; Jlr. L. AA r . Hanlon, Palmerstou North; Mr. G. Watson, AVellington. Basult-1. Mr. C. A. L, Treadwell (188

marks}: 2, Mr. G. AVatson (100 marks); 3, Mr.' . \V. Hanlon (1(15 marks). In delivering judgment, the Rev. Father Hiclison, speaking for Mr. J. M. Clark and himself, said that they would liko to say that the section just heard was a very pleasing one, and deserved every encouragement. Oratory deserves to bo encouraged, and that it could be was proved by tlie specimens they had heard that afternoon. He did not know what tho audience felt, but he had really enjoyed it. They hadn't many good orators in New Zealand. One had only to go to Parliament to find that out. Tho material in the section showed excellent promise, and • deserved every encouragement. Irish Song. Irish Song (lady or gentleman)— Own selection. First prize, £2; second, £1; third, certificate. Entrants—Mr. A. G. Thompson, Nelson; Mr. Arthur M'Donald ("The Minstrel Boy"), Christchurch; Miss Kathleen Wood ("The Last Rose of Summer"), AA 7anganui; Mr. F. Cray, AVellington; Mr. Geo. M. Howe ("The Irish Emigrant"), Auckland; Mr. W. E. Saunders ("The Minstrel Boy"), Lower Hutt; Miss Daisy Isabel Grant ("AVearing of the Green"), Christchurch; Miss Hilda Ann Minifie, Kelburno; Miss Elsie Florence, Northlands; Miss Muriel Bennett ("The Minstrel Boy"), AVellington; Mr. J. H. Andrew ("Off to Philadelphia"), Manakau; Miss Ethel V. Carter ("Kate O'Shane"), Auckland; Mr. AVilliam John Spratt ("The Minstrel Boy"), Christchurch; Miss Jeanie Smith ("Kathleen Mavourneen"), Wellington; Miss Dorothy Jones ("The Last Rosa of Summer"), AVellington; Miss Ge'orgio M'Donald ("The Last Rose of Summer"), Auckland; Mrs. Ivo. Symes ("She is Far from the Land"), AVanganui'; Mrs. P. Lewis ("My Own Land"), AVanganui. Recalls—Mesdames Symes, Lewis, and Mr. Thompson. Results—l, Mrs. P. Lewis (139 marks); Mr. Thompson (138 marks); Mrs. Symes (134 marks). Character Sketch. Character Sketch, pathetic or dramatic (in costume and with make-up). Character may be chosen from standard authors. Time limit, 8 minutes; selection to be submitted at time of entry. First prize, £1 10s.; second, 155.; third, certificate. Entrants—Miss Amy Bender "Lady Ann"), AVellington; Miss . Marie Fix ("Queen Katherine's Speech," from "Henry VIII"), AVellington; Mrs. Keedwell ("Hagar"). Recalls—Miss Fix and Mrs. Keedwell. Result—l, Airs. Keedwell (153 marks); 2, Miss Marie Fix (152 marks). Shakespearean Recital. Shakespearean Recital (gentlemen)— Test piece, "Othello's Defence," Act I, Scene 111. First prize, £2; second, cßlj third, certificate. Entrants—Mr. S. Rankin, Wellington; Mr. J. C. Bell, Lower Hutt; Mr. Byron Brown, Otaki; Mr. C. E. G. Chapman, AVellington; Mr. Charles Fellows, AAtellinngton; Mr; T. H. Kenny, Dunedin. Recalls—Messrs. J. C. Bell, Byron Brown, and T. H. Kenny. Result-1, Mr. J. C. Bell (148 marks); 2, Mr. B. Brown (147 marks); 3 Mr. T. H. Ivenny (137 marks). Impromptu Speech. Impromptu Speech (ladies), time limit, five minutes. One minute to prepare. Three competitors must appear before the judge or item may be withdrawn. First prize, .£2; second, £\; third, certificate. Entrants-Mrs. A. R. O'Sullivan, Wellington; Miss Melba Prentice, Stratford; Miss Churchill, Dunedin; Miss Coad, Wellington; Miss Nelson, Wellington; Mrs. J. M. Jansen, Petone. Result-1, Miss Coad (110 marks); 2, Mrs. Janson (100 marks); 3, Mrs. O'Sullivan (85 marks). ' Humorous Song. Humorous Song (Lady or Gentleman); own selection, in character.' First prize, £2; second, ,£!;■ third, Certificate. Entrants—Mr. Arthur M'Donald _("Inverary"), Christchurch; Jlr. William liooth Lambert ("Tobermory"), AA'clling.ton; Miss Coralie Stanley ("Femme do Chambre"), AVollington; Jlr. Rowland F. Digby ("Are You Asleep"), Sealoun; Jlr. Zante VVood ("Our Bazaar"), AVellington; "Mr. Arty Smith, Petone. Result—l, Jliss C. Stanley- (127 marks); Mr. Zante Wood (120 marks); 3, Mr. Arty Smith (122 marks). THE EVENING CONCERT. Another large audience attended the foast of music and elocution provided last evening by tho competitors who had been recalled in tho various classes held during a long day. The programme included a capital variety of music and elocutionary items, which were on the whole interpreted with a good deal of ability. The "Pastorale Symphony" of Beethoven was very beautifully interpreted by Misses D. White and Mr. Mitchell, of Auckland, two of the most artistic pianists, who have been engaged in the present competitions. Jliss Nola Haybittle exhibited her sweet musical voice in Spohr's. charming song, "Rose Softly Blooming," which was sung witli a gooii deal of feeling. Jliss I'ilovin Cameron also sang the song very prettily. .Her phrasing and breath control was hardly so good as that of Miss Haybittle. The "Farmers' Quartet" (from Blenheim) played AVeber's "Sanctus" rather nicely. Jfr. J. C. Bell was the best of the three gentlemen who re cited Othello's Defence. He has a good voice, the stage-sense, and his work is always marked by an -intelligent ■understanding. Jlr. Byron Brown was more pedantic and less dignified. It was a good performance, weakened by too much movement. Jfr. T. H. Kenny's conception lacked wciglit and breadth. His voice is a good asset. The humorous song contest elicited some highly-amusing contributions. The best of the performers were: Jliss Coralie Stanley, Mr. Z, AVood, and Mr. ATty Smith, of Petone, a good comiquo in the rough. The entertainment concluded with the comedietta "Tho Real Mr. Q.," ibrightly acted by Jlessrs. Russell, Bentley, Vivian Rhind, and Norman Aitkcn. THE JUDGE'S DECISIONS, Jlr. AVolf, in giving his decisions, stated in regard to the pianoforte duct that the Misses Shepherd had played without music, but had.not played the last part at all. AA 7 hat they had played was remarkably well done. Misses. AVhite and Mitchell did not play so well that evening as they had during the day. They were awarded first prize, with 133 marks, and the Jlisses Shepherd were second with 132 marks. Respecting the Irish song ho said that most of the"'ladies .had selected "Tho Last Rose of Summer," and most of tlie men "The Minstrel Boy." One had sung "Off to Philadelphia" without any Irish at all. Ho did not know whether a fortnight's competitions had exhausted all the humour of the competitors, but there wasn't much exhibited that evening. Miss Coralie Stanley ("Jfarie Louise") was awarded first nrize, Jlr. Zante AA'ood second, and Mr. Arty Smith third. Jfr. Montague (judge of elocution) said that in "Othello's Defence" two performers had stood out from the third. He had been hard put to it to separate them, but had placed Jlr. Bell first with--1-18 marks and Jlr. Brown second with 147 marks. Regarding tho character sketch Jliss Fix, although she was well made-up and carried herself well, was far too hurried, and lacked dignity and pathos at the opening of her scene, but was much better when addressing the Cardinal. He had given the first prize to Jlrs. Keedwell. who was rather monotonous, but he did not look for perfection in a restricted class. In the comedietta class ho placed "The Real Mr. Q" first and "Interruptions" second.-and in tho onen scene class bracketed "The Days of Nero" with ".Tedburv. Junior" first, and the scene from "Lady Huntworth's Experiment" third. Tho championship results would not be announced until this evening. TO-DAY'S PROGRAMME. Town Hall—9 a.m., Men's song (own selection), oratorio or operatic song and a ballad; 2 p.m., euphonium solo; 3.15 p.m., song (lady), own accompanist. The evening programme will include tho drawing-room entertainment contest, which is to lie judged by the audience.