WESTLAND COMPETITIONS SOCIETY

Hokitika Guardian, 8 May 1931, Page 5

WESTLAND COMPETITIONS SOCIETY

SUCCESSFUL OPENING. The annual festival of the "Westland Competitions Society was opened last evening under pleasant inaugural circumstances and in the presence of a good attendance, receipts for the night being well up to the average. About 7.45 o’clock the curtain rose and the President (Mr 1). J. Evans) asked tbe audience to join i'n singing a verse oi tbe National Anthem. On the stage were -Miss Waugh (judge of dancing), Daly (official pianists), Air Arthur Lilly A.K.C.O. (musical judge) and .Mr Byron Brown (elocutionary judge). 'I-he President in his opening remarks expressed pleasure at the opening of the lestivat, and thanked the public for their encouraging patronage. The support of the Co . petitions continued good, despite the less prosperous times He expressed a wish there would be a successful festival, and that all participating in the Competitions would reai> advantage. The several judges were then welcomed and introduced. Miss Waugh and Mr Lilly as former judges who had left behind them pleasant! recollection, Mr Byron Brown wllo came to them for the first time with a Dominion reputation, being a well* known Shakesperean scholar, The judges were received heartily and the festival declared opened,

Mr H. Byron Brown made ft happy speech of acknowledgment for the re. caption accorded. He said it was his first trip by land to the Coast, and he praised the scenery he had enjoyed that day. It reminded him of Scott’s eulogy of the Highlands, quoting a stanza applicable to Westland scenes. He expressed his gratification at being with them, and thanked the audience foi their kindly reception. He spoke a few words of advice to the competitors reminding them of the final judgment to he passed, and urging them to strive to excel all through life so as to earn merited leward. (Applause). The Competitions proper began shortly before eight o’clock, and continued without interruption till 10.30. Everything wont very smoothly. Rev. Knowl-es-Smith was supervisor, ably discharging his duties. Mr R. Lynn was stage manager and avoided delays. Mr. J. Conning. Treasurer, was in charge of the front of the house. Mr Henry Thiele was acting secretary in the ab. sence of Mr Osiners, and the smoothness with which the programme was put through showed the coinpletness of the attention to all details. Miss Daly was the official aceompaniste .and capably discharged the duties. Other acccompan" ists during the evening were Miss liusti Miss Giese and Miss Maefarlane. The whole programme passed off most successfully and was enjoyed greatly. The following were the results last evening ; -

Musical Monologue (not humorous; Id ami under lß’y J (own selection):— 1 Mjss I‘\ (.‘ollogtln (Rubbles 7?. 1| Miss Edita lltuyat, 70, 2; Miss M, MoGavin and .Miss X. Wormiugton. 75, 3. One other competed. Contralto Solo, (test) “Still as the Night.”—Miss E. Knight 80, 1; Mrs R, Findlay 75, 2. One other competed. Recitation for Ladies (test) “The Woman of the West”.—Miss Nancy Wright 79, 1; Miss H. Perry 76, 2. Only competitors. Piano duet, (test) “Spanish Dance”. Mr H. Thiele and Mr W. A. Lindsay, 80, 1; Miss L. Staines and Miss J. McIntosh. 63, 2. Only competitors. Musical Monologue, (humorous) under ;8 years, own selection.—Miss Joy Ward, ‘The Three Trees,” 80, 1 ; Miss Pose Parker 75, 2. One other competed.

Operatic Dance, 15 years and over.— Miss Nancy Wright 73,. 1; Miss Iris Hawker, 72, 2; Miss L. Staines 67, n.c. One other competed. Recitation (humorous) own selection, partly heard to be completed later in the season.

Violin solo, (test) “Indian Lament.” Mr 1). Heinz 8-1, 1; Mr V. Martin 78, 2: Only competitors. Baritone solo (own selection) —J. C. Wright (“Sea Fever.”) No award. Humorous solo, (own selection). — Mrs Turnbull, “John” 80. One other competitor, hut neither song considered humorous by the judge. Barefoot dance.-—Miss E. Rohloff, 70; Miss Iris Hawker, and Miss Nancy Wright, equal 69. One other competitor.

Piano solo, (test) 16 years and under 19..—E. Robinson 92 points 1. One other competitor.

The judges all passed comment publicly on the evening’s work. Mr Byron Brown meted out general praise for t\e English spoken, and was impressed with the work generally. Mr Lilly was not so satisfied .with the test music, which on last, year’s work should have brought more entries. He had lifted the stand, ard purposely, and had hoped for better results. Miss 'Waugh praised the dancing generally and said tile items were all good and enjoyable. The festival is being continued today.

SECOND DAY. The Competitions were continued throughout to-day. At the. Princess Theatre at 10 o’clock this forenon Highland dancing (senior and junior sections) was taken first, followed by tho barefoot dance for 10 years and under 15, and the Irish Jig (also in senior and junior sections) concluding with tho skipping dance, l.f years and over. There were good entries in ah the masses. and spirited competition, many vis. iting performers being present and taking part. The attendance was very fa ir.

At All Saint’s Hall, there was also a very full programme, including the piano solo (10 years and under 13); with song for boys, reading at sight, piano solo, and song in character. Tbe entries were good in most of the classes, and very interesting competitions resulted. The attendance at the Hall was very good the forenoon and and increased during the afternoon, when a full programme was in progress. The vailable results up to the time of going to press were : FORENOON RESULTS. DANCING SECTION. Highland Fling, seniors: Recalls, Vieiva Moss and Vivian Knowles. Highly commended Miriam Trott. Seven competed. Highland Fling, juniors, recalls; R. Stewart and J. Bell. Highly commended, M. Sinnott. Seven competed. Barefoot dance., 10 years and under 15,: Recalls.—Miriam Troll, E. Hannan and N. Darby. Highy contended, V. Knowles and J. Rieves. Ten competed a very pretty section, Irish Jig, seniors; Recalls:—Melva Moss and V. Knowles. Irish Jig, juniors; Final:—R. Stewart, 1; M. Sin.not. and J. Holt equal 2. Three competitors. Skipping Dance, 14 years and over; Final: —Nancy Wright and V. Knowles equal Ist. * HrtWiai AT ALL SAINT'S HALL. MORNING.

Piano Solo, 13 years and under 16; “The . Harmonious Blacksmith"V. Nightingale 90, 1; 32 , Baker 85. 2, ' Song for boys, own selection (9 and under lo): R. McDougal! 86, 1; P. Knowles 82, 2. .- p Piano Solo (10 and under 13), “Intermezzo Caprice’’; Recalls: —N. Wells, E. Stoop, R. Gutberlet, S. Saunders, B. Delbridge, J. Andrews. Reading at sight (12 and under 17 : Joy Ward 78, 1; M. McGavin 76, 2; P. McGavin 74, 3. Musical Monologue, (not humorous), under 12, own' selcectjon; Recalls: Vera Gilmore, E. Gilmore, S. 'Sanders. Highly commended. N. B. Nillson.