COMPETITIONS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1611, 30 November 1912, Page 13

COMPETITIONS.

FIRST "DEMONSTRATION NIGHT."

Though the weather was distinctly unpropitioue. the first of tho two "demonstration nights' in connection with the New Zealand Competitions Society's Festival drew a very large audience to the Town Hall last evening. A most comprehensivo and attractivo programme was presented, which occupied the olosest attention of all present for three hours. The first of the winners to appear was lliss Poster, of Wanganui, who sang rather colourlessly the "Adieu" of Mozart. Master ltiddell recited "The Slave's Dreaui" with good expression. "Within a Mile o' Edinburgh Toon" was charmingly sung by Miss Muriel Bennett, and Miss Ethel Churchill, tho talented Dunedin reciter, and tho runner-up for the 'elocution championship, recited with fine dramatic effect. 'A Lament," a bit of humorous American verse, was recited by Master Lancaster, and little Miss Eunice Wyatt sang a song beyond her years. The native vitality of Miss Betty Purdom was in evidence in an extract from J. M. Barrio's novel, "The Little Minister," her pretty Lowland accent smiting the Thrums-folk? language admirably. The vocal quartet, Lovely Night," was very beautifully sung by the Oroheus Quartet, of AYellington (Messrs. H. Phipps, Wi F. Howse, : J?"; fl nd S. Hutton). The unhit of tho evening was made by that brilliant dot, Cecile Haines, who repeated her clever skit, "People We Meet at tho Competitions," into which she introduced a good deal of new matter, including an imitation of Mr. J. M. Clark .judged tho elocution at Christchurch), and Miss Lilian Pritchard, ™ star _of last year's competitions, ihat promising reoiter, Miss Marie Fix, contributed "Paul Keveie's Ride," which poem helped her to e first prize. Miss P. P. Hanify, the Wellington pianist, pkyed ltubinstein s "Reve Angelique" most expressively, The scene between Hubert and Prince Arthur (from "King John")' was capitally acted by Mr. J. C. Bell and Miss Betty Purdom, who were both in excellent form. Bedecked with medals, Masm Power recited "Planting irees ; Misses Haybittle and Anderson sang the duet, "Still as the Night," very 6weetly, and clever Hazel Jeffery recited Tennyson's "The Brook." Miss Mabel I rentice, of Stratford, repeated her very excellent prepared 6peoch on "Womans Rights. Mr. A.' G. Hay csang "The 1 rrumpetor," and Miss K. Wood (of Wanganui) sang "Orpheus with his Lute" very acceptably. An innovation in the programme was the performance of Mr. JVorman. Aitken, who gave impersonations ol ALr. Garden Wilson impersonating wellwith fair success. "Otliello s Defence" was convincingly recited by Mr. J. Culford Bell. Mrs. Symes sang the humorous song entitled "A Lesson with a Fan," after which Messrs. C. Mazengarb and H. H. Cornish discoursed hijiorously and impromptu on tho subject How to manage a Mother-in-law." Messrs. H. Phipps and Laycoek sang tho duet Hie Moon hath raised her Lamp 31? (from "The Lily. of Killaraey"). the programme was brought .to a olose by Mr. Alan M'Elwain tiie Auckland comedian, who gave some extraordinarily clever includmg the making of a lemon squash, a horse galloping on a still night, a scissorsgrinder at work, and some of his furred and leathered friends. Mr. M'Elwain, his popularity in Wellington, kept the vast audience in shrieks of laughter with the ridiculous fidelity of his mimicry. DRAWING-ROOM ENTERTAINMENT , CONTEST. The result of the draiving-room entertainment contest (held on Thursday evening) was as follows:—1 (£0), Miss Lissack wid party (862 marks); 2 (.£3), Miss Purdom and Mr. J. C. Bell (255 marks); 3,. Miss Blanchard and Mr. Brown (246 marks). NEST TEAR'S FESTIVAL. Mr. James Dykes said that,during that evening they had already received a dozen entries for next year's festival. Ho wished to announce that F. J. Pinny, Ltd., 1 had presented another Chappell grand, valued at .£135, ' for competition next year. (Applause.) Mr. J. P. Montague, this,year's judge of elocution, had presented a gold medal to the best impersonation of a Dickens's character (lady or gentleman), and would do so as long as lie lived and "had the money. (Laughter.) So that they would see that there were to be competitions nest year. THIS EVENING'S FINALE. An especially elaborate programme has been arranged for this evening—the. final "demonstration, night"—when /an. the "stars" of the competitions will make their appearance, in now items. The booking'is excellent and a large audience is assured.