NAPIER COMPETITIONS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1711, 31 March 1913, Page 6

NAPIER COMPETITIONS.

' —— ♦— FINAL RESULTS. ■COMMENTS BY THE JUDGE, (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Napier,' March 20. The musical and "locutionnry competitions concluded yesterday, the results being as follow:— Piano duct—Miss Violet Liepst and Miss 1. T. Moronoy (Hastings), 1. Shakespearean dialogue: .T. Culford 801 l and Miss Betty Purdom (Wellington), 1; T. Williams and Miss Basil .Tones (Hastings), 2. Elocution, girls under It: Cecil Haines (medal), Eileen Clarkson (Hastings). Elocution, boys under 11: Archie M'Gralh (Napier). Elocution, children under 11: Aliss D. lvclly. Vocal solo, girls under 18: Maud Edwards (Napier), 1; Rissie Austin (Napier), 2. Brass, quartet Napier No. 1, 1; Hastings No. 2, 2. Vocal solo, under lli: Eunice Wyatt (Wellington). 1; Archie M'Grath (Napier), 2. Vocal solo, boys under 15; Leonard Compton (Napier), 1; Archie M'Gralh (Napier), 2. Vocal solo, girls under 15: Tholnia Sutherland (Hastings), 1; Eunice "Wyatt (Wellington), 2. Humorous song, gentlemen: E. P. Lnks (Napier), 'l; S. B. Wood (Napier), 2; E. L. Lees (Welling ton), 3. Sacral quartet: Misses J. and N. Ford, .Messrs. AV". H. Bauntou, and It. W. Sneddon. Contralto solo: Mrs. Svines (Wanganui), 1; Miss B. Clark (Bulls), 2. School choirs: Napier Technical, 1; I'akipaki District, 2. Cornet solo: P. C. Wilkinson (Hastings), 1; B. Simpson (N.ipier), 2; J. R. Elliott (Napier), 3. Story without words: .1. Culford Jiell and Betty Purdom (Wellington), 1. Tenor solo: C. J. Ilicksmi (Napier), 1; 'N. Wootton (Napier), 2. Character sketch (in costume): J. Culford-Bell, 1; Betty Purdom, 2. Comedietta: J. Culford Bell and Betty Purdom (Wellington), 1.

(By Telegraph..—SDeeial Corresoondent.) Hastings, March. 30. ' The Napier musical and elocutionary competitions were concluded- on Saturday evening, in the presence of a fairly large attendance, after running all the week. A representative of The Dominion had a chat with Mr. C. N. Bacycrtz, who judged the elo'cutionary and obtained his 'views upon the work of the week. The performances on the whole, ho said, were vastly superior to those of last year. The WestX'oast men did re--markably well in ,the impromptu speeches and debates, and in this- qonuectign it ;s worth while mentioning that Grevinoutii serves as a model to .New Zealand in this respect, for it possesses no fewer than five debating societies. Mr. .T. Culford Bell, of Wellington, won the male championship, and some of his work was exceedingly good?, particularly, his iharacter sketch of Pagin, and also his performance in v the drawing-room entertainment. Jlr. Luks, of Napier, showed himself a performer of very unusual ability. Ilis work is characterised by spontaneitv and magnetism. He is exceedingly musical arid has fine histrionic ability. I Tile three little children from Wellington, Hazel Jeffries, Cecil Haines, and Zita Chapman, all did work right up to championship standard. Besides the purely juvenile items, Zita Chapman was a winner in a Shakespearean dialogue with Mr. Bell, and came third in the recital in costume. Miss Hazel Jeffries rends uncommonly well, and gave a very fine rendering cf Dickens's Scrooge. As on previous occasions, Cecil Haines showed herself a remarkable comedienne and an adept at mimicry. Young Leonard 'Power hns a good deal of ability, but at tho present time shows a tendency to oversentimentalise his work.-

Miss Petrie gave a very cseditablo first appearance, -whining three events in open, sections. Unfortunately she failed to compete in one of the ( , readings, and therefore was ineligible for the championship, which fell to Miss Betty Purdom. 'Miss Purdoin is dainty, but she locks vocal ra\ge and,has an inclination to be somewhat fiiiiieky and monotonous *(n h?r work. but. in the drawing-room entertainment her musical monologue was so Rood as to fairly electrify the audience. Mr. Norman Aitken did very well, and is improving rapidly. His best work was his imitation of Sherlock Holmes ami Moriarty in the drawing-room entertainment. "Mrs. Jvo fivmes has made rapid strides since the Wellington competitions. Iler voice is better balanced, and she has improved temperamentally. Mr. B. li. .Lees was conspicuous in many of the vocal items. He is always temperamental and sings with fire nnd vim. Mr. Cecil Prime, of Napier, has a tenon voice of unusual range, but is inclined at times to tighten somewhat. He gave a very flue rendering of "Comfort Ye" and ."Every Valley.';' His brother, Mr. Stanley Prime, has a good baritone voice, but is* inclined to be somewhat dull aijjl stodgy in his readings. Mr. Kazell Wood gave an excellent rendering of Newbolt's "Vita Lampada," and reflected 1 the spirit of tlio English public school boy with refreshing vigour and accuracy. The Wellington competitors accounted for about, two-thirds of the prize-winners in the elocutionary, sections, "and it appears that both Napier and Hastings are handicapped by the lack of good teachers. The best performances in the instrumental section were those of Miss Kane, who won in. both the vocal and violin sections, and Mr. J. D. Hriasco also calls for favourable reference. A. concert is to be held in the Municipal Theatre to-night, when the prize-winners .will each contribute items to the programme. .