MELBA SCHOLARSHIP

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20876, 31 August 1942, Page 2

MELBA SCHOLARSHIP

ELIMINATION CONTEST AUCKLAND GIRL WINNER ; - '/■ u A", A- : COMPETITIONS FINALE ( The main interest at the Gisborne Competitions Society’s demonstration night' on Saturday; as a finale to the week’s festival was the decision of the local elimination contest for the Melba' Scholarship. ' The Opera House was packed for the occasion. An Auckland competitor, Miss Ngairc Keen, was the winner, the other two recalled being Miss Leone Bonier, Gisborne, and' Miss Alma Collins, Otane. • ■ When announcing the result the judge, Mr. Hamilton Dickson, Wellington, referred to the splendid work done during the afternoon, when the whole section was heard. • Continuing, Mr. Dickson said-that-Mrs. G. Rutherford had sung her two selections very beautifully, while Mrs. H. H. Dods had given a performance of outstanding 1 merit, which ranked among the finest amateur performances “that the adjudicator had ever heard. " • •'Blit,” said Mr. Dickson, “neither of these ladies; whose work throughout die festival has 1 been of such a high standard, are Included in the recalls. Before I left Wellington I made up my mind that' this section was for the young competitors.” (Applause.)' At the conclusion of the contest Mr. Dickson, in announcing Miss Keen the winner, said that he was quite confident that the young lady he had selected would hold her own in the Wellington final; if it were found Dossible to arrange for the contest to bo held in the capital city, and do credit to the Gisborne Competitions Society. Splendid Programme

As usual, tile ' programme for demonstration night included winners during the festival,' 'and -splendid entertainment Was provided, Mr. Barton Ginger, Wellington, the elocution judge,'u; contributed three items, “Mandalay" (Kipling), “The First Appearance at Odeon Theatre of Nicholas Tacchanardi,- a Hunchback Tenor Singer,” ahd sh humorous item, “The Vicar Talks About- Marriage.” In a brief speech, Mr. Ginger thanked the competitors for accenting his judgments in a good spirit, the officers of the society for their co-operation, and the audiences for their appreciation of- all the work presented. He added that lie would donate a challenge cup for the • ladies' elocution championship for annual competition. The president, Mr. Chas. Matthews, referring to this demonstration as the closing session of the festival; thanked the people- 1 of Gisborne Tor' their generous support, the ' competitors, both local and the: committee, who had worked so* well. Mr."F; McBreen, - who --had- acted as stage manager until he became ill. Mr. A. J. Nicol, who - had so willingly and efficiently taken his place; and the official accompanist, Miss Winifred McCarthy. Cups Presented He then presented various prizes to the winners as-follows: Rose bowl to Mr. Jas. Chrisp, conductor of the Methodist Choir; the National Tobacco Company’s cup to Mrs. H. 11. Dods for the ladies’ vocal championship; a cup to Mrs. Elliott, conductor- in the winning'children’s choir; to Mrs. Rutherford, runner-up for the ladies’- vocal championship, a cup presented -by Mrs. Finds; a cold medal, presented by Mrs, T. I-I. Berry, to Miss Ngaire' Keen for the most promising soprano voice; and a' silver medal from Mrs. Berry to Miss Vilma Jones for second -place. The Maori’sons sung by Mrs. C. K Williams was “Whakarongo-ake ra.” The words were composed by Maori girls of Hiruharama, and told the Maori story of the might of Germany, the fall of Poland and France, and the great sadness that followed, and the appeal. “England hold fast to your power.” _______________