THE COMPETITIONS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 37, 7 November 1919, Page 9

THE COMPETITIONS

OPENING DAY

BIGGEST ENTRY ON RECORD

Yesterday saw the opening of the Wellington Competitions Society's annual carnival, which provides an opportunity tor budding talent in vocalism, elocution, music and dancing to display its paces, and earn that criticism from people capablo of forming matured judgment, which, if taken in the proper spirit, is such a'valuable aid to progress. The society, which .has only been tformed a couple of years, is to bo congratulated on the success which has attended its efforts to encourago artistic entertainment in its many phases, for it has established a record in having secured over ISOO entries. That seems .to show that tlio society is well organised and well conducted. The competitions are being managed in the usual way, tho sections being taken in the mornings and afternoons, and the competitors who are recalled take their stand for final adjudication at tho ovening performance. In some of the junior classes the judges havo_ been instructed to givo the final decision straight out at tho conclusion of the judging of the so' as to reduce the period of susponse endured by the' little ones. The list of officials this year is as follows:—Judges : Instrumental nutsic, Mr. Harold Gregson (Auckland); elocution, Mr. John Hopkins (Melbourne); impromptu speeches, Rev. A. E. Hunt, Messrs. J. 11. Helliwell. and 0. C. Mazengarb; national dancing, Mr. N. lino kenzie Forbes (Wanganni); fancy dancing, Mrs. "iV. L. Rothenberg; accompanist, Mr. Harold •Whittle ; stage manager, Mr. W. P. M'Lachlan; honorary piper, Mr. W.. Gordon Brown; secretary, Mr. G. W. Jenrier. , Results. The following wero the results of y6v terday's competitions:— Piano Solo (18 and under 21. years), "Nocturne in E Major". (Chopin). First prize, ,£1; second. 10s. ■Recalls—Dorothy Talbot, Wellington; Clifford Kemp, Wellington. Result—Dorothy Talbot, Wellington, Ml points, 1; Clifford Kemp, Wellington, 127 points, 2. . Contralto Solo, own -selection. First prize, i£l Is.; second, 103. Recalls—Mrs. J. A.,Dowler, Wellington; Mrs. Hallam, Newtown; Miss Ida Snelling, Wellington. Result—Miss Snelling, Wellington, 1.18 points; Sirs. Dowler. Wellington, 135 points; Mrs. Ilallam, Newtown, 133 points. Recitation, ladies (1,6 and under 21 venrs), "Abou Ben Adhem" (Leigh Hunt). First prize, «£1 Is.; second, ss. Recoils—Miss' Fanny Kntner, Wellington; Miss Drucy Turner, Christcliurch. Recital, with musical accompaniment. Open class. Own selection. First prize, J!2 25.: second. 10s, . Recalls—Miss Fanny Kntner. Wellington; Mr. Howard Moodv. Lyttelton; Miss Bessie Thomson. Dunedin. Song, by New Zealand composer, ladies. Own selection. First prize, t £l; second, tfls. Recalls—Mr*:. Aileen Johns, Wanganni; Mrs. R. J. Wildish, Gisborne; Miss CorTie Aslin, Dunedin. Result—Mrs. Johns, Wanfranui, 110 points, 1; Mrs. Wildish, Gisborne, 138 ■points, 2; Miss Aslin, Dunedin, 135 points, S. Burns' Song, gentlemen. Own selection. First pi'ize, 42: second. 10s. Recalls-Mr. F. .T. R. Gledhill. Hafaitai; Mr, Harry Phipps, Wellington (the' only competitors). Result—Mr. Phipps, Wellington, 147 points, 1. Only one prize allotted. Girls' Song (under 1G years). "The Bells of Twilight" (Dorothy Forster). First prize, 10s.; second, 53. Recalls—Mis9 Ira Wolfgang, Wellington; Miss Dulcio Philpott, Christchureh; Miss Nellie Amies. AVellington. The judge pronounced'the section to be a very good one. Shakespearean Recitation (Gentlemen. Open class). "King Henry IV oii Sleep." First prize, £2 25.; second, 10s. ~ . „ | RecaWs— Charles F. Burnett, Auckland;' Lionel Inch, Wellington; L. 11. J. Power, I Wellington. Result—Mr. L. H. J. Powers, Wellington, 81 points, 1; Mr. Lionel liielf, Wellington, 81 points, 2;. Mr. Charles Burnett, Auckland, 78 points, 3, Reading at Sight oady or gentleman). First prize, Is.; second, ss. Result—James Gordon, Brooklyn, 80 points, 1; Evelyn li. Aitcliison, Lyoll Bay, 79 points, 2; Ina E. AVemyss, Wellington) 78 points, 3. Humorous Recitation (hoy or girl, 12 and under 16 years). First prize, £Y Is.; .second, ss. Result—First section: Mary Cooley, Wellington, 77 points, 1; John Watchman, Knrcri, 75 points, 2; Master J. R. Williams,' A.fgie Atkins, and Pearf Jacobs, equal with 74 points, 3. Second section: Master Leitli Riddell,. Wellineton, 78 points, 1; Miss Winnie Beck. Duned'n, 77 points-, 2; Miss Mavis Ritchie. Chri=tchurch. 7,1 points,. 3: Miss Kathleen O'Brien, Wellington, highly commended, 74 points, Irish Sou? (gentlnmen). Own selection. Fir«t prize. ?s.; sreond, 10s. R»sn't—Mr. A. MoHer=liend. 12G points, Mr. F. .T. R. Gledhill. Hataitai. Recalls—Mr. A. Mottnrshead, Levin; 1: Mr. F. .T. R. Gledhill. 11!) points. 2; Mr, Lee Dow, Gisborne, 118 points, 3. THE OFFICIAL OPENING.

His AA'orship the Mayor, Mr. J, P. lyuko, ALP., president of the society, in opening tho Competitions, said that .the eocicty deserved well of tho citizens. It was not out to mako money. Years ago there was another progressive and aggressive society which ran competitions in a monthly way. But it died out. Now this society had taken up the. work, and he was sure it was going to be a big success. Mr. Cray, chairman of the committee, Eaid that the society was no far in its infancy. They were compelled to depend on business,men and others to provide special trophies, and they had responded splendidly. This year they had secured no fewer than 1835 entHes. .as against 1534 at the last Competitions. On behalf of the society Air. Ciray then announced the result of tho competition for the programme cover design, for which there .were 17 competitors. The first prizo was awarded to Mr. E. R. Myers, of Newtown; Miss Molly C. Stewart (of Auckland) . was very highly commended, and the third place was secured by Mr. Herbert Bloy, of AVellington.

THE EVENING PROGRAMME. There was a fairly large audience present at the evening concert, for which a very , varied ' programme was provided as the result of the winnowing process of the judges during the day. Sir. John Dou-ber, in the contralto section, sang "Out on the Hocks" fairly well. . Jlrs. Hallwn was ruther insecure in tone as well as words in ''Soul of Mipe~," but Miss Ida Sncliing paJiff "My Shipps" with real feeling. and was adjudged mi easy winner bv the audience at nil 'events, and subsequently by the judge. Mis.-; ftnclling's uniformly musical tone, and her phrasing' were virtues that could not he passed over. .Chopin's "Nocturne in K major" ■ was tastefully played by Miss Dorothy Talbot and Mv. Clifford Kemp, and in the Burns sons division, Mr. P. ,T. K. Getlhill had the spirit if not the vncal finality 'for. lihe quainli old son?. "The Toil's Awn.' Wi' the Exciseman." Mr. Harry Phipps's gentle nnd mist;- tennr was heard pleasantly in . ".Affrn TVater." Mrs. j\ilecn Johns. of AVnnganui, gave a vonflccnlnblc "interpretation of Alfr;-1 Hill's "Wniatn Maori," which Mrs. Wildi?h. of Gi-'borne, nl?o selected and sang verv well. Shul cespeafe was 'represented on tli? programme by fi'ie kingly soliloquy i on sleep from "ITeory TV." fair exnesit ions being given bv Messrs. L. H. .T. J'nwr and Lionel Tnch. Tn the domain of Tri.sh song, Mr. Alfred Motterehead sang "Believe Me if Ml Those Endearing Young Charms." 11 is voice is of eootl tenor qualitv and true lo nite'h.. l>nt tlie singer was laelcins in style nrd address (h tlie voc.il -ense'. and M>\ V. .T. GMJiill sang "The Minstrel Bor." Tin p"ograinnie concluded with ('he comedietta. "Tlie AVorkhmise Ward." which concerned (lio scandalous chaffer Of the inmatfs of the infirmary ward, nnd an nmiising embroglio concerning" tlie liief topic. This wns cleverly enacted- by Misses Wemyss, Maisie Burt, Gertrude

Burt, Annie Sheklon, Ethel Griffiths. Alexa Elton, and .M r. Lionel Inch (as the visiting curate). TO-DAY'S PROGRAMME. To-day's programme includos a pianoforte reading- at 6ight test; Scottish'song; vocal solo and accompaniment (for which there are -5 contestants); song by Now Zealand composer; lvcitation of poem by .a New Zealand author: recital, with musical accompaniment; humourous recitation, for ladies; and classic (barefoot) danco for girls.