ELOCUTIONARY COMPETITION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1610, 14 September 1916, Page 3

ELOCUTIONARY COMPETITION.

An innovation at Thursday's Bulb Show was an elocutionary competition for school children. As an experiment. it could hardly be called a success. There were plenty of entries, and the children shaped well, but the movements and chattering of! the public was too disconcerting' to the competitors. The classes were divided up for pupils in the various standards, and the recita-, tions were selected from the school books. Air Ilornblow officiated as judge, with Mr (laHand as assistant. The pronunciation of the competitors almost without exception was excellent, the majority obtaining the maximum marks. Gesture and deportment: was weak, and in many instances wrong words were emphasised, thus marring the phrasing. The majority of the competitors were weak in conception — the soul of the piece recited—wherein lies the secret of success. Byron's “Ocean," for the elder scholars, was far too dilficult for the youngsters to grasp, but sonic fair attempts were made. The total maximum jioinhs were 110, made up as follows: —Gesture and deportment 15, quality of voice 15, minciatiou and enunciation 30, conception 50. The following l are the results: —

Standard J. —“The Doll's Bath,” Lucy Thompson, first, 87, Nellie Woods second, 7(5; four competitors.

Standard 11. —“Children of the Empire.” Joseph Huff tirsl:, 90; Isie Puflerson second, 84. Five competitors. Standard Til —“The Fnioii Jack." Harry Burr first, 1)2, Edward Rol)inson second, 91. Seven co|ip petitors.

Standard IV. —“Vita Lampada” (“The Torch of Life”). NaXhalia Spring first, 01, Can's Griffin second, 87. Three competitors.

Standards V. and VI. —Byron’s “Ocean.” Claude Cunningham first, 88, Flora Lacy second, 8(1. Seven competitors. Own selection. —“Bnirnies Cuddle Boon,” Alex. Henderson first, 97. “Only a pin,” Reg. AlcEwen second, 95. Only competitors. The winners repeated their pieces daring the evening, and were accorded appreciative applause. We should like to see another competition inaugurated, say, under the auspices of the State school, and held apart from any other function. It would he of great educational value to the young.