THE COMPETITIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 November 1922, Page 5

THE COMPETITIONS.

DEMONSTRATION OONGERT. PRESENTATION OF PRIZES. The musical and elocutionary competitions held last week under the auspices of the Bible clans of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, New Plymouth, were brought to a conclusion last night with a grand demonstration concert in the Workers Social Hall. The chair was taken by Mr. W. G. Reid (chairman of the competitions committee) and a lengthy programme of musical and other items was contributed by the various prize winners. The programme was opened by a piano solo (Autumnae) by Miss Muriel Pearson and her rendering was very pleasing as were the piano solos of Mias Hazel George (Pierretta) and Misa Grace Baunton ('Lesson in C). Piano duets were given by Misses Vita Bishop and Muriel Reid (Mattei s Valae) and Mieses N. Ennis and M. Wooldridge (a Russian fete dance), and the taste with which these were rendered spoke well for the teachers. The other instrumental items were the intermezzo from Cavaleria Ruaticana by Miss Marjorie Ladnor and Air with Variations by Alan Brodie, both of the young performers disflaying considerable ability in the use of the violin. Isabel Whitmarsh, a tot of few years, was vociferously encored for her humorous lecitaticns,’he- actions and her expressive manner appealing very much to the audience, while Dorothy Barnitt was also loudly applauded for her description of the wanderings of a day-old chicken. Also on the humorous side were ‘■Watching the Courtin’” by Miss Lydia Bullock and “The Ginger Bread Boy and the Pie Crust Girl ’ by Gerald Hoskin. Miss Bullock also showed a keen appreciation of the dramatic in “Prince Arthur’s Appeal to Hubert, which she rendered splendidly. Miss Ruby Aitkin (“H” and Trials of a Schoolmistress) and J. Mountjoy ( The Torch of Life”) earned hearty applause for their items, while a good deal ot amusement was extracted from a dialogue in character (“The Junction ) by Misses Mildred Ranger and May McLeod. Solos were also rendered by Miss Marion Hay (“The Mission of a Rose I and Miss Vera Bree (“My Prayer , and by Arthur Taunt (“Bells of St. Mary’s”), a vocal duet (“Just A wearyin for You”) by Connie Ericksen and Ella Thomson completing an excellent programme. At the conclusion of the programme the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) presented a number of gold medals and certificates to the successful competitors, expressing the hope that the competitions would grow until they reached the height that had been attained by the competitions societies in the larger centres. He congratulated the tee on the results which had attended their efforts. His remarks were endorsed by Mr. O. Johnston and the Rev O Blundell. Opportunity was also taken bv Mr. Reid to make acknowledgment of the assistance rendered by the members of the committee and he expressed thanks to the judges. The cold medals were awarded as follows—Mr. Brodie’s medal, Grace Brunton (piano solo 12 and under); Mr. Greiner’s medal, Hazel George '(piano solo, 15 and under); Male Choir medal, Muriel Pearson (piano solo. 20 under); Mr. J. S. Connett’s medal, Alan Brodie (violin solo, 20 and under). Mr h" Smart’s ™edal, EUa Thomson (solo 15 and under): Mr. D. M° in .on’s medal, Vera Bree (solo, 20 and nnderj • Mrs w. G. Reid’s medal. Isabel freeiUtion and under); Mr. W. G. Reid’s medal. Lynda BuL ’ock (recitation, lo and under) . - • Johnston’s medal, Ruby Aftken (recitation, 20 and under).