EVENING PERFORMANCE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1897, 4 November 1913, Page 4

EVENING PERFORMANCE.

competitions formally OPENED. The first evening performance in connection with the festival was inaugurated last evening with the formal opening of the competitions by the president of the society (Air. T. M. Wilford).' Mr. Wilford said that ho had been called upon to open the competitions as ; president this year. He desired to thank the committee and all thoso concerned for the excellent and varied nature of tho programmo. There was no doubt that those competitions wort arousing great interest, not only in New Zealand, but in Australia, and ha could not but note the groat strides that were being made in the subjects set for discussion, and the different stylhe and classes of competitions evolved out of the successes and failures of the past. Considering that the society was a non-money-making one, it was doing a great work in a young country in training tho young to take their part in publio lire —in public speaking, at-all events. In borough councils, dobating societies, and all kinds of elections, the trained speaker was needed to' enlist the interest of citizens. Boys should bo t-aught how to speak and give utteraneo to their thoughts in plain, simple language. Ho would like to refeF to one class in particular, "No. .15 —Heading at Sight." It was a matter for regret that there were few boys who had the capacity to read aloud intelligently. It was unfortunate, too, that that incapacity to rend aloud intelligently was largely due to the publio schools, Our teaclierß were themselves very poor hands at reading aloud. He woulcf bo interested to see how thoso struggling for the prizo in that class would aoquit themselves. No doubt, tho lack ho had referred to was in a ineasuro responsible for tho growing absence of home life, which they all wished . to. see fostered and engend-. oredi" and 'that' 1' was now almost a thing of tho past; Hew many would now consent to sit at homo around the fireside and read aloud. It would bo voted too stale, too slow; yet ho could remember as a boy how they used to sit round tho fire, and read aloud in turns. Bo hoped that later tho society would offer good prizes for those who took part in the reading classes. The society was fortunate in its judges. They had ' Mr. C. N. Baoyortz. Ho need not describe him— he couldn't. (Laughter.) He had done more to' Enlighten them on books and things artistio than any other one in Now Zealand. Ho was'a hard critic— some would say a cruel one. He also complimented Mr. Harold Gregson (judge of music), Mr. Charles Wilson (the judge of literature), and_ Mrs. J;is. Hannah (tho judge of dancing). He hoped that tho society would havo a successful gathering, and that tho competitors would bo satisfied with the decisions that would, ho was sure, bo given thoughtfully and honestly. Ho would like to mention, tho secretary, Mr. Dykes. It was absolutely necessary for a society such as this one to have a live man for secretary. Ho (Mr. Dykes) filled the bill. (Applause.) Ho had great pleasure in declaring tho competitions open. It was a national movement to-day, and he hoped it would grow and jjrow to proportions undreamt of at its birth. (Applause.) THE CONCERT. The concert provided last evening was a most interesting one, A feature was tho singing of a trio of boys, who saui* most sweetly and with a deal of finish that was (entirely pleasing. Master Seon-Brown has a delightful vxiico, full of music, but was somewhat tsabjtious ih solecting the solo, ''That Thou Did'st not Leavo His Soul in Hell" (from "Tho Messiah"). Master Rodney Paukhurst's singing was full of charm—a pure boy soprano, vibrant witli sympathy and refinement. His song was "Where tlio Boats Go." Master O'Brien hardly bo well taught—his breaching was rather deficient, yet he sang "Somewhere a Voice is Calling" very swectiy. Threo aspirants for elocutionary honours recited

"Tho Cliargo of the Light Brigade." No ono could bo in doubt as to tho winner. Dr. Norman Hales towered high above tho other two, giving ,a ringing dramatic reading of tho stirring poem. Mr. F. Picot and Mr. A. Spencer also recited "Tho Charge," but thoy lacked tho grip, force, and reservo strength of tho winner. Miss Mario Fix and Mr. E. Grant wero heard to advantage in tho casket scono from "Tho Merchant of Venice," and Miss Fix and Miss Shepherd, Portia and Nerissa respectively, spoko ono of tho scenes from tho samo Shakespearean comedy. Misses K. Cresswcll and Jean Burrowos played the nndanto con moto movement from Schulwrt's "Symphony in C," which was also played by Misses G. and H. Shepherd. "My Ship and I" was recited in capital stylo by Masters E. Pank-' hurst, L. A. kiddell, and R. Boveridge. Mr. John Boyco displayed a capital tenor voice in tho Schumann song "Devotion," but hardly realised tho element that starod from the title. Mr. F. A, Bryant's voico was hardly eo good in quality, but ho showed rather better interpretive capacity. Miss Lissack was shrill, brisk, and exceeding humorous in tho cornio recital "Neighbours." Miss Paulino Brown was bright and clover in tho recitation ".Jemima's Courtship." _Miss M'/norney and Miss Fix also recited in lighter vein. Tho programme with the playlet, "Tho Real Q," brightly acted by Messrs. N. Aitken mid B. Russell. To-day's Programme. To-days programme at tho Town Hall is expected to draw largo crowds. Both the large hail and tho Concert Chamber will bo engaged all day, and m the evening tho finals will bo heard, consisting of piano solos, recitations, Irish and French songs, violin solos, dramatic recitals, and musical monologues, humorous and original sketches: also a comedietta entitled "Annio's Holiday," by tho Y.W.C.A. elocution class.