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Hokitika Guardian, 13 June 1931, Page 4

‘‘A little rift within the lute, will sometimes make the music mute.” This limitation is suggested by the difficulties of the Westland Competitions Society. It appears the recent lest--ivai which was so successful in'many satisfactory ways, was not so financially. The returns when the prize money was made tin, showed a deficit of over £SU. This gave the responsible officers concern, and it was decided in order to conserve the available funds to take advantage of the rule in the general conditions under which entries were received to cancel tne second prize in any class where there, were less than four competitors, and to award the second prize only where there was but one competitor in a class. The adjustment saved a substantial sum ; and enabled the deficit to be reduced to some thirty odd pounds. This practice it has been explained. was followed the previous year when a deficit was in sight. There is said to be considerable dissatisfaction at the action taken, but as was pointed out, the Society has to be bound by its rules, and looking to the future it is necessary to conserve the funds as much as possible. The cost of judging is a growing item, and it is necessary to secure the best talent within the means available. The competitors are helped considerably by the standard of the work set and the judging. This is in the hands of those selected for the task, and the advance niacje from year to year is really a tribute to the level required by the judges. Competitors outer with a knowledge of the rules, and with small and growing Societies it has to be borne in mind that the entry fees can never be verv large and that the prize awards must depend on revenue ether than entries. After all. these competitions are for the mental eqiiinnumr of those taking part, and the thought of any material financial advantage could hardlv have entered with the question. If the Society is to carry on. it is essential that propn safeguards .should he taken to ensure financial obligations being discharged. There is a large amount ol honorary work performed and much generous service given. Sio far as the officers and committee are concerned there'is evidence that they work whole-hearted-ly for the success of the festival, and the mil die have derived much pleasure and delight as a result. The bencla j to the competitor is not to be measI ured in pounds, shillings and pence. ! The Competitions were not undertaken ! with that- end in view. ft was desired 'to give the rising generation the nn- ! portunity to advance artistically and 'to store the mind with matter and I material to make them better citizens as they grew up. As far as opportunity has served, some of the young

folk who have gone afield have shown the Advantage of the foundation laid here, and have upheld the good name of the place in open competition in a larger sphere. This is at least some reward for the local So. icty. Greater results can he achieved in the future. There is talent here, and entering in the right spirit and carrying on, those taking part will reap their own reward by the storing up of knowledge to serve them well in citizen life in after Years.