MISS NEW ZEALAND 1921

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 166, 4 October 1927, Page 15

MISS NEW ZEALAND 1921

WELCOME IN AUCKLAND

STRAND AND REGENT Upon Aucklanders devolves the dual decision in connection with the w Mi«a New Zealand 5937” contest. Keen in-* terest was manifested, therefore, In the appearance of the Dominion’s favour ites last night at the Strand and Regent Theatres. Mr. R. A. Shephard, who has map-* aged the tour of the screen aspirants, carefully explained to the audiences in both, theatres that voting would not take place until next week* This decision was necessary, he said, in order to equalise the voting strength of Auckland with the smaller centres. The hnaie win be announced on Friday night week.

An ensemble introduced the girls to Aucklanders. With “Miss Auckland” (Miss Lillie Ar dreassop) and her Maid

of Honour (Miss Hildfed Graham) the audiences were thoroughly familiarYet the welcome was none the less cordial for the Southern entrants. Especially warm was the greeting for “Miss Otago” (Miss Dale Austin), the tall, slim, Dunedinite, who has so consistently led in the aggre-i----gate voting. It wa.s realised at cnee that “Miss Auckland” had met a for? midable opponent in the Otago girl. Two minutes were allowed for each girl to present a sketch to the audi? ence. Actually, however, there did not appear to be a time limit, of the girls took decidedly more than twq minutes, while “Miss Southland” (Miss Winnie Tonkinson) appeared to be well content to appear on the stage with a troublesome tooth, have it ex? tract ed in a trj.ee, and amble off again. Miss Aodreasspa presented a long, drawn-out impression of a .maid cast into a weary, dreary world by an un? sympathetic mistress, which might easily have been considerably shortened. Keen appreciation of comedy values was shown by Miss Hildred, Graham as an impudent housemaid. “Miss Canterbury” (Miss Leon McCall), who took the audience to the pictures, also gave (evidence of talent for burlesque.

More melodramatic in vein was “Miss Wellington’s” (Miss Hazel Spiers) treatment of “Th€> Telegram,” Her Maid of Honour (Mis» Pat Smidt) was equally temperamental ip hey characterisation of the girl whose engagement was unexpectedly broken. Miss Vera Podge (Maid of Honour to “Miss Otago,” was quite convincing as a talkative young thing in the manicure shop, while “Miss Otago” (Miss Dale Austin) realistically portrayed an unlady-like young lady plentifully imbued with spirits and positively exuding good cheer. This was probably the best individual performance on the programme. Miss Morgie Cameron and Miss Jane Kinsey completed the bill. The “Miss New Zealand 1927” finalists will appear nightly at the Regent and Strand theatres. The Auckland season completes a tour of New Zealand which has occupied more than three months.