COMPETITIONS SOCIETY

Southland Times, Issue 18847, 12 June 1920, Page 6

COMPETITIONS SOCIETY

NO FESTIVAL THIS YEAR. POORLY ATTENDED PUBLIC MEETING. The public meeting adjourned from last week to consider the prospects of ihe Invercargill Competitions Society’s annual festivals was held in Allen's Hall last evening, only eight people being present. The president of the Society, Mr D. Wcsney, oresided. The chairman explained that the previous meeting had been adjourned in order that the sub-committee appointed could obtain all possible information in regard to the probable support that would be received from competitors should it be decided- to commence the festival? again this year. The sub-committee hud inquired thoroirrhly ihto the malar, and Mr Wallace heal drafted a report. Mr A. S. Wallace said that unfortunately trio report was of a very different nature from what he had expected it would be. It was thought that by interviewing old competitors it might have been possible to arouse so mo enthusiasm and to obtain the assistance of a largo number of tho-e who wished to sec the competitions revivtd. With this object in view, the committee had put a lot of work into visiting and circularising old competitors. Of 53 people circularised 16 had repfied, while of 2(i interviewed. 20 had expressed their willingne's in a.-si.-t. 11c went through the entries for ihe 10i3 festival, which had probably lea n a record one not only for Southland but for ihe whole of New Zealand, and found that fully 05 per cord, of the local competitors at that festival had either left Invercargill or had been removed by death. They would see from that why only about 2d I cnlrics had linen received for the fes oral vine!', it had been intended to hold last year. il was apparent that they would now have (o rely upon ihe younger generation for support, and when a class of children had come before him recently, he was surprised to find how little they knew of eloculion. I; would take about sax month"’ tuition to prepare them for competitions. While none a number of old competitors were enthusiastic, they thought that (hey had llm : r day but were willing to help others. He had visited the schools and the Convent, and they wore ready to do all they could. He estimated that the entries for a festival held this year would not be more l ban about 280. Tlie members of the committee were exceedingly disappointed that (hey had not received better results for their week’s work. In hi? opinion nothing could be done this year.

Tim chairman expressed pleasure a) the manner in which Mr had spontaneously taken up the matter in the interest ■ of the young people of Invercargill. It was very much to lie regretted tlint he had had to produce such a disappointing report.. Mr Wallace had been amongst old competitors and the young people, and his report clearly indicated that the people were not awake to the benefits to be derived from the Society’s- festival. It wa< thought by some that if a festival was organised on n Final! scale this year it might have a beneficial effect by bringing the matter before the public, and so preparing for next year's festival. Mr J. Ward expressed the opinion that if would not be wise to hold a festival this year, but suggested that the Society should make a start early nex* year and give the school children six months’ training in preparation for (he competitions. If they were held at the same time as the anniversary of Invercargill, when (here would probably bo a large number of visitors in town, larger outside entries might: be received. The committee had not had much hope of being able to revive the festival (his year, but because of (he letters which had appeared in the press, it was fell that further inquiries should be made. The Hon. J. A. Hanan congratulated the committee on the efforts it had made to revive the festival this year, and referred to the need for a wider interest by the public in the accomplishments of life. He expressed the hope that the Society would continue its efforts, and that next year a festival would be successfully organised. It was then decided that a public meeting should be held in February with a view to holding a festival in July or August. It was also decided that the members of the executive committee and sympathisers with the Society should hold a meeting in the near future for the purpose of organising a concert by which to augment the Society’s funds.