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Hokitika Guardian, 22 August 1927, Page 4

There was a wealth of variety in the programmes on Saturday and a high class entertainment was given. The presence of several elocutionists from Greymouth lifted the competitions out of the mediocre. A pleasing feature was the success of some of our young ladies in the elocutionary section, who did remarkably well', indicating that with so mo further experience they will go far. It was the most encouraging feature of the Competitions. Tho judges were prompt, with their work. Mr Hush took occasion to thank Miss Daly for her fine work as accompanist® in tho monologues, while Die President thanked Mrs Stnveley for organising the dancing and Mrs Hannan, of Greymouth, for judging. Altogether the. public had a most enjoyable entertainment set before them. SATURDAY .MORNING. Piano Solo, 7 to 9 years, “Tho Pixies March ” (White). Two competitors.— Kuby GutbheiTet. 67. 1 : Sylvia Sanders. 66, 2. Mr Moss said the competitors gave a very good interpretation. though not quite grasping the marching spirit of the piece. Speaking of the piano val.se solo, in which in addition to the recalls. Misses Ktopfortli. Carroll and Jacobs, and Master Stavei'ey, -Misses N. Fitzgerald ami M. Carroll were highly commended, the judge remarked the playing had been very good, some of the competitors doing splendidly. Recitation. “ Who's Who,” 9 years to 12 years. Ten competitors.—Recalls. Violet Ross, Thelma Thomas. .Margaret .Moore. Referring to the earlier olfort. “Sleepy Time,” Mr Bush said a good many of the performers missed the points of the piece, but still it v,as a ( nice section. The winner, Constance . Staines, was very good with tone colour; points 76. lies Baker was award- , c! 75, and J. Gilloolv and M. Stephens ; equal, 74 points. The morning programme was put through well to time, the adjournment being at 12,40 p.m. SAT UR- DAY A FTEKN OON. Girls’ Song, 12 years to 16 years, “ Laekadny ” (Crampton). Five competitors.—Recalls: l). Raine, P. Dowell and M. Hanrahan. This competition was completed at the evening session and proved most attractive throughout. The Judge praised the rendering and complimented the three placed singers, whom lie placed as follows:—M. [lanrahan. 67: P. Dowell, 6(5; Dell Raine.’ Go. Musical Monologue, 12 years to 16 years. Own Selection. Two competitors.—The Judge stated both were good and gave pleasing interpretation of their numbers. The plaeings were— Noei’eanc Wormington 81, 1; Dorothy Hughes, 77. Recitation, open, own selection, first section, nine competitors.—T his was a very fine section. The rehalls were:— Messrs McGrath (3), Misses Knight and Venle. These five appeared again in the evening, and the Judge’s final plaeings were:—-W. McGrath. 80; Miss TO. Knight, 79; Mr J. A. McGrath, 73; Miss Yeale 78, Mr P. J. McGrath 78: with Miss King and Mr Troulnnd highly commended. The Judge gave special praise to each individual performer for distintive merit in the rendition of their pieces, all of which wenwell selectod, supplying a line variety for dilfercnt modes of elocution. Contralto .Solo, “ Mei’isamle in the Wood/’ open, three performers. Tin* plaeings were:—Miss 1,. Knight, lu ; Mrs Findlay, 6;7; Miss Ward, 64. The Judge had to express some disappointment in regard to the interpretation of the song, though on the whole the effect was pleasing. Recitation, open : “ Tie Fell Among Thieves” (Newholt). There were five competitors, and the Judge said he had a difficulty in separating them, all having dono sc- well. It was a good section. The performers had a good conception of the piece; and there was some good phrasing. The voices wengood and pleasing. He gave* the following decision:—’Miss Venle, 75; J. A. McGrath, 74; Miss E. Knight, 73. Misses Morgan and Tlouey were highly commended. Bali’et: Pas do Soul, under 7. Six competed, and the little tots delighted the audience. It was a happy number and was much enjoyed. Mrs Hannan gave the following plaeings: Joyce Andrews. 81; Betty Morris, SI; Mary Hart, S 3. Recitation, “ The Alonso,” 7 years and under. There were 14 competitors in this section and the interest of the audience was more than sustained D.v the variety which the littlo boys and girls introduced into their work. The _ Judge considered the tots got quite a “ lot of humour out of the niece; and there was no doubt it was a pleasing section. The effort all round was :i good one. The plaeings were:—Arthur Rogers, ,72 ; Nita Stephens, 71; Betty Dowell, 70. The following wore commended : Owen Dwan, Betty Brown, Gordon Stoop, Juno Armstrong. Beading at Sight, 12 to 15 years, five performers. Tho Judge at tho close of tlie competition said tho piece was not

a difficult one, and on tho whole the reading was good. Tho first and second were much abovo the others. It was necessary when reading aloud, not to read just what was printed, but to give the subject life and colour, and convey the meaning of the text by the emphasis given on tho shade of the voice. The placings were:—Jean Dowell, 72; Joan Baker, 71; Pearl Dowell, 69. Piano Solo, open “The Wedding Day,” (Groig). Four performers. Mr Moss remarked that the best performances wore given by the two winners, whose executive ability was commented on favorably. They wore: Reen Jacobs 77, Owen Jacobs 74. EVENING SESSION.

At the opening of the evening session, the President rend a telegram from Sir Scddon. M.P., conveying good wishes for the snccess of the competition. The President took occasion also to welcome the competitors from Greymouth. the party including Sir Greenslade, Mayor, who was one of the speakers Inter. Musical Sfonoi'ogtie, open. There were eight performers, supplying a varied and thoroughly entertaining section, which Sir Rush praised greatly. His placings were —J. A. McGrath, So; W. SlcGrath, 83; Miss Honey, 82; Sliss Veale and P. SlcGrath highly commended, and Sfiss Knight commended.

Soprano Solo, “Softly Awakes Sty Heart.” Sliss Rita Borton was the only competitor giving a very pleasing rendering. In passing comment, the Judge said tne young lady had a very pleasing voice, and knew how to use it. It would he a source of pleasure if Miss Borton could sing at the Greymonth Competitions. Humorous recitation, open, four competitors. The audience was well entertained with this section. The Judge praised all the performers, who each adapted themselves to the right atmosphere in the portrayal of their characters. Placings: TV. McGrath, 73; S. R. Hayward, 71; Miss Veale. 70; J. Trouland (highly commended). Classic Dance: A concerted number for junior girls, one entry. This was a bright presentation, with appropriate music, and Mrs Hannan praised the performance for its native merit. Impromptu Speech, six performers. 'Lite subject selected by the Judge was Mothers-in-Law.” Naturally a good deal of amusement was created by some of the startling things said about moth era-in-law. It seems remarkable indeed bow the fatbers-in-law escaped

Bcatlu'ess. There was much laughtor and amusement, as the several speakers wrestled .with their subject in the effort to fill in the five minutes devoted to their speech. The plaeings were: E Lord; "0; <T. Greenslado, 66; MDaly, Go. J. McCarthy highly commended. Corps tie Ballet, senior girls, two entries. This, was won by Misses Steveiyson. Staines and Mc\\hirter. Another very pleasing presentation, which showed Mrs Stayeley had not lost the art of providing pleasant stage presentations. The music was bright and the performers tripped right merrily. Mrs Hannan complimented the performers, and regretted for the second group more room was not available on the stage. The audience in ali the dancing numbers gavo rapturous applause. but encores were not permitted.

Prepared Speech, subject chosen. “The Advantages of the Otira Tunnel.” Tvvo competitors. Both speakers spoke for seven minutes, and Mr M. Daly with 70 came first and Mr Lord 63, second. Tire Judge said the winner gave the more ‘solid information in facts, and the second performer produced the better diction, and quality won. Shakespearean ltecitation: ‘-Hotspur’s Speech” (Henry IV). Three competitors, the McGrath brothers, whom the Judge said were well known exponents of Shakespeare. A very fine | interpretation was given of Harry Hot- i spur’s chagrin and contempt, the whole] production being convincing. The marks awarded were:—P. J. McGrath 78. J. A. McGrath 74, W. McGrath 72.

TO-DAY’S SESSIONS. The Competitions began at 9.30 o'clock this morning and the afternoon session commenced at 1.30 o’clock. The evening session to-night will begin at 7.45 sharp. Lev. G. KnowlesSmitli is the Chairman to-day. The programmes arc well diversified. This afternoon’s programme is one of the .best of the Competitions. To-night there will bo several recall's and music, dancing, and elocutionary numbers, including the ladies’ Shakesperean competition. Admission to-niglit will be: Front seats 2s; back seats Is.

TO-MORROW’,9 DOINGS. The morning and afternoon sessions will bt, continued in the Soldiers’ flail at the usual convenient hour. There will l«> all new numbers provided, winding up in the afternoon from 3.30 with the final recalls. The event of the Competitions will be the demonstration by the prize winners in the Rrineess Theatre oil Tuesday night, opening at 7.45 with an address by Rev. Father Finerty. There are upwards of forty numbers set out, including most of the gems of the jirngiamine. ft should be a great and memorable night for Hokitika.