The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1929.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 September 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1929.

THE EDUCATIONAL BIAS. In the course of an interesting address at the. Competitions last Thursday evening, Mr L. Cliffe Standford, the judge of both the musical and elocutionary sections, referred to the educational bias of such a. festival as was held during the week, and the special benefit to'the community. The general conclusions of the speaker will be assented to, readily, because it will be recognised that in preparing for such an extended programme as was drawn up, a large amount of mental study was necessary for the competitors. Many of the young people contested several sections, and whether in music or elocution, much close study was involved. The work which had to be done to achieve the .standard reached, indicated a praiseworthy attention to the task. The Hours thus spent must have been* good for those who summoned up the energy to go through with their self-imposed task. And their work in most cases brought them in touch with the best a.uthors and composers. The test pieces were all selected with an eye to the educational value of the work and the study involved, while the own selection matter, widened, the choice of the performer according to his or her l>ent, but always was close study involved. Nor did the general benefit end at that point. The presentation of Ihc Work communicated the •value and virtues of the prices to the audience, who in turn had the pleasant occupation of listening to the masterpieces selected, being expounded'.- . In that way the educational value of the work perform-

ed was spread far and wide. In the main the public patronised/the sessions to be entertained, but actually they derived more than entertainment, tiiey received education, and so a double purpose was served by the Competitiions. They are, undoubtedly, of much usdul vaiue, and it is in the interests of any community, as Mr oLaniord remarked, to see them continued. the local management since the Competitions were lirst launched some iour years ago, inis' received every encouragement to continue the work, flic interest and enthusiasm among the competitors is the first essential to success, and that has been maintained in a rising degree. On top of that there lias been the growth in standard, a fact which bears out the contention that the educational value is there, and the competitors are deriving tiie benefit or 'their .work. The public lias been interested at every stage, which indicates, too, that they are drawing in the benefit of the rising standard, and their patronage is an encouragement to carry on, steadily advancing the all-round value of these annual festivals. With the enthusiasm which invests the Competitions, there is every reason to hope that their future will be of increasing value, and that result will be all for the good of th ecommuiiity. The teachers and . instructors who are helping in these mattoys and assisting to keep their pupils up to their work, are to be commended for the good results attending their eiforts. The ladies and gentlemen so employed are doing very valuable work for the service is helping to shape the minds and characters of the young folk in their hands, and so making them better and more useful men and women citizens of the world. This useful educational bias is the main reason why everything possible should be done to assure the future success of the "Westland Competitions !