CHILDREN’S COMPETITIONS.

Otaki Mail, 22 September 1922, Page 2

CHILDREN’S COMPETITIONS.

A SUCCESSFUL GATHERING. Great interest centred in the children’s competitions, held under the auspices of the Otaki Literary and Debating Club, yesterday afternoon and evening. At night there was a large gathering, and a most enjoyable and profitable time was spent. The Rev. G. F. Petrie acted as Director of Ceremonies, and was ably assisted by Miss Hardy (secretary), and Mr A. R. Rudkin, while Mrs Stable acted as judge of singing, Mrs Eric Mosley. L.A.8.. L.T.C.L. and Mrs Wills judged the pianoforte selections, Mr Byron Brown the elocutionary items, and Mr Wills the drawing and limericks. During the afternoon no less than thirteen infants faced the judge in the first elocutionary contest. The majority did splendidly, and Barbara Smith. Molly Field, Monica Harper. Freda Barnes and Jean Knox were re-called. In the evening these little performers did well, and there were only four marks different between the winner aud the lowest. Molly Field, a clever little tot, was adjudged first with 66 points, Jean Knox being placed second with 65 points, Monica Harper (61). Freda Barnes (63) and Barbara Smith (62) being next in order. Mr Brown, in awarding first to Molly Field, said

this little girl was good on enunciation, technique, had vim and ginger, and felt her work. Jean Knox and Monica Harper. l\e said, also did splendidly.

In the elocutionary contest (Stds. I and II) there were fuur recalls, viz.. Xoel Sargisson. Elsie Matbie. Dola Harper, and Jack Xicol. in (he final Dola Harper won with 61 points. Xoel Sargisson being next with 63, while Elsie Matbie and Jack Xicol each received 61 marks. Mr Brown said there was little between the competitors, and although the winner was deliberate she should be more distinct. The essence of elocution, ho said, was good articulation, enunciation, and pronunciation; it was not always the big voice that carried best. The children, added Mr Brown, were, inclined to drug the final consonant to the initial word, and stress prepositions and conjunctions.

Spelling (over Std. IV) — Hugo Brain ley.

Spelling (Std. TV and under) —Neil Synnot 1. Spelling (Std. I)—J. Xicol.

Spelling (Std. ll)—Reg. Webby. In the pianoforte selections (under 32 years) there were only lour competitors. viz., Beryl Xoble. Connie Evans, Patty Rikihana, and Barbara Swabey. All did well, but the honours were awarded to Patty Rikihana. with Beryl Xoble second. 1 Pianoforte solo. 12 aud over —Eunice Knox 1, James Rikihana 2. Doris Ollivor aud Keitha Synuott also competed. The pieces chosen by the children were difficult, but, nevertheless, they did splendidly, and the judges were well pleased with their efforts.

•Singing —Patty Rikihana 1. Jim Pritchard 2, Norma Carmont 3. Also I competed: Barbara Swabey, Dorothy Perkins, Pauline Darin, and Enid Fer- , guson. The winner had no difficulty ! in annexing first prize, but there was keen competition between the others, i all of whom were of very tender years. They did splendidly. Singing (over 12) —Geueive Barnes and Joan Lowry were placed firstOther competitors were Flo Batten. Doris Baker, and Sain Hnkiiraia. All the girls did well, the singing of the placed ones being most creditable. Both possess fino voices, and should be heard of later to advantage. The other two girls sang sweetly, but the bo*- was not seen at his best. Mrs Stable said she was sorry that

there was not more competition, especially as Otaki possessed a deal of musical talent. .She asked that all take more interest, and added that the members of the Otaki choir would assist any singer. Geneive Barnes Lad been handicapped by not being accompanied, and therefore she put her with Joan Lowry, although the latter had not been singing for some time. Of the little ones -Jim Pritchard was good, while Nonna Carmont had a splendid idea of pitch, words were good, while she managed the octaves nicely. The Rev. Petrie said Joan Lowry had come forward by special request, goodnaturedly obliging. .She would not accept a prize therefore Geneive Barnes would be first, and Doris Baker second.

Recitation (under Sid. V) —Molly Thomson (W points) 1. Enid Fogden (6o) 2, Molly Lowry <; 64) 3. Also competed—Barbara Smith. Connie Evans. Doris Watts, Gladys Smith. Ida Bills, Es.ma Cornish, and Len Hvan-. Mr Brown said the class was good, but lacked vim. The best performance was “The Village Blacksmith.” It was not a showy performance, but was well spoken and well phrased. Several, however, were inclined to stress unimportant word-. a»d he gave examples of how pieces should be said. On the whole he was well pleased with the work done. Recitation (over Std. V) —Geneive Barnes (t>7 points) 1. Joan Percival (CO) 2. Joan Lowry also competed, but Mr Brown placed her .o a cia'-s r,y herself and gave her a special prize. Her perrormarc'’-. he surd, was excellent, while the others did well. Geneive

Barnes put up a big effort, bat stressed the unimportant words, while Joan Pereira! did well, but lacked characterisation. He had difficulty, however, in separating them. Drawing—G. Humphreys 1. W. Roach 2. Limerick (school children) —George •Jamies-on 1. Arthur Jamieson 2. Limerick —Beatrice Keall 1. Emily Fiutey 2, Mar Peievin 3. Limerick (adults) —Mrs Elempion I, Bev. Petrie 2 and 3. Drawing (12- and over, —B. Watts 1, George Himphr.e-i 2. Prior te dispersi-g the 2ev. Peine tcoi the ojjwßsaijj c; thauisj tii

their attendance and the encouraging support, aud also thanked the judges for their able assistance.

The children's singing competition, for those under eight years of ac- c Held over from last evening, will be held shortly, when a special prize, donated by Mr E. Irvine, will be given.