COMPETITIONS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 288, 31 August 1921, Page 7

COMPETITIONS

RECORD ENTRIES AND BIG AUDIENCES AN AUSPICIOUS OPENING The Wellington Competitions Society’s annual festival commenced yesterday morning. Although the weather was boisterous, wet and cold, the spirits of those concerned were Undamped, and the zest and. fine j-porting feeling which prevailed among the competitors augured well for a very happy exporieiice, and probably one) which should help to foster culture in the arts. Yesterday inaugurated a three-lvoeks’ flow of music, song, and story, and for such as are determined to benefit by the competitions, tho opportunity surely is there. The entries number 2248, or 432 more than has over been tho case before in .Wellington, which indicates a growing desire on tho part of young people for the pUblic .test of their capabilities in one phaso or other of the vocal and elocutionary arts. On this point, the president has the following foreword in the competitions’ programme:— - "This, the fourth annual festival held under the auspices of tho Wellington Competitions Society, again demonstrates tho increasing popularity of this class of entertainment. That they are filling a great part in our educational and social surroundings is shown by the vast increase in opr number of entries. When one thinks of the amount of study of bur masterpieces of music and literature this has involved, it will give us .some idea of its vahite from an educational point of view. We have tho statements of men like tho Into Sir George Reid, of New South Wales, who said his first experience was gained in a society like this. When one looks around and sees the great number of public speakers there are, and how few. orators, we can but wish more had followed his example. Wellington is especially adapted for this ejase of entertainment on account of its geographical situation. It is situated within easy roach of competitors from both islands, and the result has been a great number of entries from all parts of New Zealand. Then, again, Wellington lacks anything in the nature of an annual festival such as carnival week or an agricultural and pastoral show„ Tho executive council feel"’ that with tho generous support of the public, such as we have had in the past, Wellington sure to hold pride of place in this class of Work. With the large number of entries and tho appointment of the eminent Australian judges in the elocution and musical classes, the executive feel they can promise the public a very liiglichis.4 entertahiment, and confidently look forward. to'its hearty support and cooperation.”

Mr. L. R. Partridge is president this year, and has as vice-president Mr. F- G Cray, whilst Mr. G./W. Jenner remains a standing pillar of tho society ns tho most energetic,, capable, and obliging of secretaries. * Tho council consists of Messrs. J. L. Arcus (treasurer), C. H. Harratt. C. Bary, C. M. Bowden, J. W. Carr, IV. Fielding. W. E. Fuller, L. A. George.'B. P.-Gully. V. E. Howe, Rev. A. E. Hunt, H. A. Huggins W. P. MuoLachlan, A. Menzies, E. Palliser, C. I l ' Smith, and H. C? Tonies. The judges are as follow: —Instrumental and vocal music, Mr. Gordon Lavers (Sydney); elocution. Mr. Bertram Flohm (Sydney); national dancing. Mr. A. Barclay (Wellington); fancy dancing, Miss Cecil G. Hall (Auckland). Tho official accompanist is Mr. Harold Whittle. Miss Dorothy Talfot will accompany tho monologues, and Mr. W. P. MacLaclitan is the stage manager. The Official Opening. The official opening of tho competitions took place half-way through last evening’s programme, in fho presence of the Governor-General. The president, in welcoming His ..Excellency, referred briefly to the latter's distinguished career, and Baid that when tho Government- asked for a, new Gpvernor-General it was the desire of all that wo should get one of the 'greatest pro-consuls of the Empire. Me had entered into the spirit of. everything, and in doing so had made tho bonds between New Zealand and the Old Land stronger than ever. lie had entered into their sports and their social lite, and when he departed from these shores there would hardly be ty man, woman, or child who,-would not know him personally. (Applause.) Judges and public men had said that there was no better English spoken than that of New Zealand. With thousands studying tho classics in literature, there must, bo some result. If the Competitions continued to grow, they would come to the i>osition when they vyould either have to exthe time or secure more judges. They .w</uld perhaps have to study Ballarat methods. In that tow-n the competitions lasted over live weeks. Great benefit had been derived from such competitions in Britain and Wales. The society’s desire was to make AVeliington a' centre competition work in Mow Zealand'. It had been’said that tho people here did not take enough interest in this sort of thing, but the society had not found it so. Mr. Partrii\e then presented the society’s silver badge to the Governor-General amidst applause. His Excellency said that no doubt the badgei- stood for much, but it -did not turn a simple sailor into an oratow iln had come along on the understanding that he was not to be called, upon to make a speech, lie w-as very interested in tho society and what tho president had said. He was interested in everything that went on in the Dominion as His Majesty’s representative. He did not think that anyone could come in such a capacity, and not bo interested in anything and everything that had to.do jvd.h tho country’s progress and welfare. This society was out to fill a void —to provide orators. "I was never strong on public speaking or on orators," said His Excellency. "I have always been inclined to think that people are swayed too much by what they hear on a public platform. The service to which I have tho honour to belong has a motto, “Deeds, not words,’ which is as good as any other to. stqrt life with. Still, words are often incentives to deeds. It is a, real pleasure to mo to bo here. I will como again, and certainly on the last night. May the best man, the best w-oman, .the be»t boy. and the beet girl win." (Applause.) The Mayor, who also spoke, said that for one who believed in 'deeds, not words,” His Excellency was ,a marvel, for &e was one of tho most talkative men. Ho had heard him deliver three speeches in one day and all beautifully different. They knew that lie was a gallant gentleman, who had kept his head wlnjn ho had in tho hollow of his hand the civilisation of the world. Mr. Wright said that he was satisfied that tho competitions did a great amount of good if ‘’there ware not tho danger of the nonsuccessful losing heart. In New Zealand the young people know how to take a defeat arid come up smiling. The society had done good work and would continue to do good, and the society s a.m and object in making Wellington a centre for this kind of work would, h.e.fclt, bo very speedily realised. (Apphiusc.) The Day’s Awards. Design Programme Cover. Brize, £'>.—Prize-winner, “Leon,” Air. Harry Clark (Auckland); v.h.c.: “Dink,” Miss M. Fielding (Hataitai); h.c.: “Orion," Miss Noel Cook (Auckland); commended: “Jtewi," Air. Frank Alexander (Wellington).’ Piano Solo, 18 and under 12. “Rhapsodie Hongroiso, No. 6” (LiZst). .First prize, 4!2; second, JU.—Recalls: Miss L. V.i M. Quinn (Auckland), Aliss Ivy Middlemiss (Levin), Mr. Edwin F. TanneJ (Wellington).

Result: Edwin Tanner, 178pts„ J; Miss L. Quinn, 170pts.» 2; Aliss Ivy Middlemiss, 162pts., 3. Alezzo-Soprano, "Lover’s Echo (Newton). First prize, £2; second, *-l.—Recalls: Mrs. Amy Wikes (New Plymouth), Aliss Phyllis Alaascy (Wellington), Miss Violet Reith (Wellington). Result: Airs. Wilkes, ISlpts., 1 : Violet Reith, ISOpts., 2;’ Mies Phyllis Axassey, 175pts., 3. I Baritone Solo. “Tho Ballad Monger (E. Martin). First prize, 4!2; secmid, XL—Recalls: Mr. E. R. E. Hewitt (Wellington), Mr. A. L. Murray (Wellington), ■Air. Roland Smith (Christchurch), -Air. Claude Aloss (Wellington). Result: Air. C. Aloss. 178pts., 1: Air. L. Hewitt, 174pts., 2; Air. A. Murray, 17lpts., 3. 1 Sacred Solo (Contralto)., Own selection. —Recalls: Miss Alary Allan (Oamaru), Aliss Irene Horniblow (Dunedin); Aliss Gwen Esau (W’ellingtoiy. Award yet to ho given. Song in Character, Boy or Girl, 1- nnd under” 16. Own selection. First prize, XI; second, 10s.—Recalls: Alaster Richard Maunder, “Tatters”; Joyce Julian, “An Old Fashioned Ataid”; Edna I’urdie, “The Dainty Geisha.” Result: Richard Maunder, 166pts., 1; Joyce Julian, 165pts., 2; Edna Purdnf, IGOptsl, 3. . Special Naw League Recitation, Boy or Girl under‘l6. “Big Steamers” (Kipling). First prize. XI Is-; second, 10s. 6d. • . * , Result: Girls —Joyce. Julian, 89pts., 1; Phyllis Al'Millan, 88pts„ 2; Stella Chapman, 87pts., 3. Boys—John Watchman, 87pfe., 1; George Power, 86pta., 2. Recitation. Alen, “The Ride of’ Paul Venarez.” Firstprize, X2; second XL—Recalls: Air. Leith Riddell, C. G. Kirk, and Leonard Power. Award not yet given. Recitation (N.Z. Author), "I Wonderi (Alarieda Batten). First prize, 25.; second, XL—Recalls: Air. C. G. Kirk (Wellington), Aliss Clarice Ritcliio (Christchurch), and Aliss Alary Cooley (Wellington). Result: Air. C. G. Kilk, 90pts., 1 ; Aliss Mary Cooley, 81pts.; 3; Miss Clarice Ritchie, 81 pts,, 3. Humorous Recitation, boy or girl, under 12. Own... selection. Section A (under 10).—Recalls: Master Geo. Power, Kathleen Chappell (Christchurch). Result: Kathleen Chappell, 9Gpts., 1; Geo. Power, 84pts., 2; Dorothea Tossman, 78pts., 3. Section B (under 12).—Recalls: Miss Sinclair Breen (Wellington), Irens G. Dalton (Napier), Master Lawrence Searle (Wellingt/i). Result:’ Irene (Gwen) Dalton, 96pis., 1; Stella Chapman, 9lpts.,x 2; Sinclair Breen nnd Lawrence Searle (90pts.), and Alice Chapman (89pts.), h.c. ' Sheantruibhas, for boys under 12.— Result: Macdonald Boyd, 69pts., 1; Frank M'Kchzie, O4pts., 2; lan Boyd, 61pts., 3. THE EVENING CONCER'T. The concert in the evening was a pot pourri of tho items set for the day classes, and'performed by those who had been recalled toy tho. judges for u liiml decision. Those interested in tho pianistic art were given three creditable perfornHtnccs of Lizst’s Sixth Rhapsodic, which is a fairly stiff task for budding pianists. It includes a, thoughtful, slow movement, and a good test in rapid octavo playing in the final vivace movement. Air. Edwin Tanner’s effort was at once thoughtful and dynamic. The Sheantruibhas was daintily paced .by n. trio of kilted boys to the skirl of tho pipes. A hardy perennial at the competitions is tho comic recitation for children, "A Trip to Blackpool.” It made its appearance on the first day and last evening—rather cleverly done by Kathleen Chappell: George Power was funnier in “Only a Boy.” Little Gwon Dalton, a. charming, refined, and clover reciter from Napier, created a marked surprise and pleasure in “Tho Trials of a Reciter,” and in the character song little Edna Pnrdio’s sweetness and naivete were delightful to witness. Tn the mezzo section Airs. 1 Wilkes, from New Plymouth, was awarded first prize, but there were those who preferred the work of Miss Reitjj. Good work was done by the children reciting Kipling’s “Big Steamers,” nnd an excellent bnriteno section sang Easthope Martin’s “Ballad Monger" until' everyone in the hall knew it. The concert finished after II p.m.—half an hour too late.