Our Literary Competitions

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 851, 20 December 1929, Page 8

Our Literary Competitions

Manuscripts from All the Chief Centres of the Dominion

LIST OF SUCCESSFUL ENTRANTS

WITH today’s issue of The Sun we present to the Auckland public a supplement containing the result of our annual literary competitions which are open to all New Zealand writers. The entries were exceptionally heavy and from the mass of MSS. that was submitted we have been able to choose a number of stories and poems that have definitely a literary quality.

Entries were received this year from all the chief towns of the Dominion, from Rarotonga in the Cook Group, and from Ovalau in Fiji. The Sun takes particular pride in this national competition, which brings under our banner the very best talent in the Dominion. Through this medium we have discovered many brilliant writers, and the result must ultimately be reflected in the quality of the literary output of New Zealand. Inevitably, of course, there were contributions submitted of the type that compels one to call for a restorative and six aspirins. And on the other hand there were many excellent

efforts that, unfortunately, had to be rejected for the time-honoured reason —“pressure on space.”

The dearth of humorous articles was noticeable this year. The trend appears to have been toward the psychological study; a reflection, perhaps, of the changed literary fare that the publishing houses have been issuing through the post-war years. The prize for the best short story goes to Mr. John K, Jameson, of Bayswater. “Heritage” is a highly imaginative piece of work, thoughtfully constructed and expressed in virile prose.

Mr. C. R. Allen, -who won our 192 S competition, this year comes second with “The Stolen Coda.” an interesting narrative possessing the virtues of simplicity and grace. Mr. Allen has been placed second, also, in the poetry section with “Conjecture,” a most original composition with a rather daring theme. A first prize goes to Mr. Rex Fairburn, whose metrical skill and genuine gifts as a poet are well known to our readers. “Odysseus,” a long poem, contains some magnificent pictures, glowing with colour and beauty. Miss K. M. Knight, who is also represented by a striking short story, wins the

essay competition with a whimsical little dissertation on the advantages of walking fro and to, as against to and fro. The photographs were of a much higher standard than those usually submitted in competitions cf this nature, and there was difficulty in making the final selection for the award of prizes. The Sun thanks all contributors for the interest manifested in the competitions, and trusts that those who failed to secure mention this year will be among the contestants in the 1930 competitions.