AMATEUR COMPETITIONS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 3, 29 September 1919, Page 5

AMATEUR COMPETITIONS

.-'. TALENT TRIED OUT AT THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE. The amateur competitions which were held in the Grand Opera House on Saturday paised off very.successfully. There was a surprisingly large number of entrants for the adults' .'competition in the evening, and they were.responsible for « bewildering -variety of turns ranging' from plain, unadulterated singing to club swinging, dancing, "patter" work,' and trick piano. "stunts." ' Somb of th» 'amateurs—both 'sexes were about equally represented—proved very capable entertainers, ' while others, alas, had their hopss and reputations blasted iiu a few foil moments. Naturally tho audience entered into tlhc spirit of tho competitions, and did not hesitate to indulge in the custom of "counting out," but they exercised this privilege with a spirit of fairness and good humour whicn none could cavil at. ; To 'the fact tiiat substantial prize money in the shape of 21 guineas was disbursed by tihe management is doubtless due the success of the' venture from an amusement point of view. On the curtain going up in th« evening the audience were at once put' into a good humour by the successive appearance of the prize-winners at the afternoon's competitions. The children, who exhibited much careful training both in singing and stage - deportment.sang very pleasingly, and all were greeted with much applause. The Grey Sisters,' two tiny mites, simply but .beautifully frocked, carried off tho first prize with "Sergeant Daddy, V.C.," and they were accorded an ovation. 'Little Miss May Orhtond, the second prize winner, .completely captured tho hearts of the audience with her > rendition of "That's How I Need You," while Master Ron. Stewart, a very miniature figure in kilts, sang a quaint little song in a childish treble, and also gave some Scottish .reels.' To him went third prize. The 'fourth prizewinners were Master Audrey and Miss Daly, who gave a duet.

Then the "try-outsl' for the adults. Some of the,fair competitors, judged by their vocal efforts, must have thought it was a beauty, contest—anything but musical, while others 6iing or danced to,the„am>mnanim<.'nt of a strong chorus of disapproval.' Several "took the count'' inside ot a tew seconds. Real talent; however, was, on the utlier hand, invariably the signal lor sponianecus applause and insistent recalls. The judging wag left to the audjence. At the conclusion of the trials those'of the competitors who- had survived tho "try-outs" at', assembled on the stage, and were placed in order of merit according. to the degree of applause thundered down from the goers, .and in n lesser degree from the other parts of the house. The first prize of .£7. 7a went to Mr. Bright, who, shadowed by his snrall son, gave iv splendid and varied exhibition of club. swinging; the second to Miss Brown, who danced jigs and played the piano simultaneously • the third to Mr. Monte Montessori for his eapablo character tong, '.'Huckleberry Finn." The fourth prize was deservedly won by Mr. J. Wood for' his rendition, of "40 and in the Army," and for animal and other imitations Mr. . Wilkie was awarded fifth prize., A . Charlie Chaplin impersonation contest was won by Master Priddle, who made a .'very- good "Charles," During the evening Mr. Vernoiv Spencer gave. a clevel skit on "Shoulder iritis," with "no opologie,s" to Charlie Chaplin.

A turtle measuring C feet from head to tail and 5 feet; across its shell, the head being 15 inches' in circumference, was caught recently by Japanese fishermen and released by' Ah Long, Chinese, who paid .£lO for the privilege of giving the turtle its freedom. The turtle weighed 6001b., and its age was estimated at 1000 years. The probable reason for the purdbase and freedom given to the turtk' is that tho reptile i 3 a 60rt of sacred emblem, and the Chinese, who can set. one free in the ocean considers himself especially blessed. An interesting ceremony followed the financial transaction. Ah Lonn"' fed the turtle with several bowls of sake, the fnvoniite drink of the Japanese, and accompanied by as many friends as could be accommodated in two sAmpans, sailed out to sea.. The turtle was released after many prayers had been said,