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Hokitika Guardian, 25 August 1928, Page 2

Ai.THouoir reference has been made to the all-round success of the Competitions in this column already, there are some features of the festival which so impress the mind that a recurrence to the subject again is not unnatural. It

must have been borne in on the large audience at the theatre on Thursday night, that there is quite an excess of local talent, once the stream is tapped. It seems to flow at the touch of the master-hand, and the audience recognised the quality of it all in the sustained applause greeting the effort of every and each performer. There was not a poor effort all the evening, and tbs- town may well be proud of its rising generation when such a number of young people can be brought together and given the opportunity find no difficulty in excelling in the art df good entertainment. The Westland .Society has certainly done good service to the community in presenting the opportunity annually for the outlet of dormant talent. The competitors themselves are to be complimented on their courage in the first instance in coming forward and then pursuing their studies to such good effect. Lastly, a great deal is due to the friendly criticism and advice of the judges who have been helping our young people along during the three seasons the Competitions have been in being. A standard of quality has been attained in a very brief time which is most surprising. It could hardly have been thought possible at the outset that the competitors could have attained so much proficiency with masterpieces in diction or music such as they have Imd to become familiar with. The Society according to the President’s announcement, proposes to carry on the progressive work if the necessary financial hacking will he given by admiring supporters. There should he little difficulty in securing the modest guarantee which has been mentioned, and with that financial support the proposal is to extend and enlarge the scope of the Competitions and arrange for the visit of adjudicators from outside districts. The proposal will lead to fresh developments along improving lines, and the steadily raising of the standard of work to he undertaken. The community value of this certainly justifies the more ambitious undertaking.