OUR CHRISTMAS NUMBER

Taranaki Daily News, 15 December 1922, Page 4

OUR CHRISTMAS NUMBER

THE COMPETITIONS. THE PRIZE AWARDS. Original Story.—First, ‘‘El Arlsh,” Mangahuma (Te Kiri); second, “Cutter,” Mokau; special,- C. C. Prideaux, New Plymouth. Old Taranaki.—First. “Tohunga,” New Plymouth; second. Miss Samuel, New Plymouth. In the Country or Backblocks.—First, "To!,** Okato; second, Claudea Waite, Tarata. Best Sporting Yarn. —No award. Original Poem,—First, “Shiela MacDonald," Dunedin; second, Ella Brightwell, Lepperton. Essays.—Juniors—"The Most Intereating Day in My Lite”: First, Beryl Egaar, Norfolk Rd.; second, Margaret Drader, Girls' High School, New Plymouth; special, Toswlil Wolluton, Toko Road. Essays.—Seniors—“My Happiest Christmas Holiday": First, Ivor Mclvor, Boys' High School, New Plymouth; second, Elsie Nielsen, Raliotu; special, Joyce Barber, Harleyville. Interest in the competitions held In connection with the Christmas Number of the Daily News was this year greater than ever. Not only was the largest number of entries received, but they came from all parts of the Dominion, entries being received from the North of Auckland, and quite a number from Otago. In the essay competitions, particularly the one for children under 14, the competition was extremely keen fbr tne second place. We think out reader* will agree that the essay to which the first prize lias been awarded is of outstanding merit. If it does just a little “smell of the lamp” it shows observation, some love of nature, and quite a happy facility of expression. For the second place there were dozens to choose from, and the final selections went to two umpire’s before being accepted by the judge. in tne senior essay competition the entries were not nearly so even. Ths winning essay would, have been improved by concentration, but is of considerable merit, whilst placed second and special are good, though somewhat orthodox in construction. As usual the short story competition drew the largest number of entrants, and again we have to congratulate competitors upon the excellence of the material submitted. There were stories sent which were excellent in construction, but with totally untuitable subjects. One very powerful story missed joining the prize-winners on this account. It ifl pleasant to be able to record again the absence of anything like “cribbing.” The stories bore the stamp of original work, even the worst of them, and it was bv no means easy to arrive at the awards. Quite a number sent in stories of old Taranaki, some of them being, we fear, “revised versions” of some quite wellknown history. We should have liked more stories at first hand in this competition. -Some were sent, in which fact and fiction were mixed. This was not in compliance with the condition of this competition.

There were many entrants for the contributions regarding life 'Tn the Country or Backblocks.” Some had material for quite a good story, which the writers couldn’t quite express as they wished to. Others showed too plainly that the subject waa merely a peg upon which to hang any old yarn. We think our readers will agree that the winning stories well deserve the prizes they have been awarded.

Strangely enough, the moet disappointing competition was that for the host sporting yam. Entries were few in number, and their merit was even smaller than their numbers. No award has been made in this competition. If the sporting yarn entries were poor, those for the poem competition more than compensated. Much really excellent work was submitted. Some competitors evidently considered poet io license to mean “never mind the sense and the sound will take care of itself.” The bright soul which in one ’stauza speaks of “effervescent Egmont,* and in the next calls the same mountain “dead and draped,” surely allowed his poetic fervour to run away with him. We think, however, that most of our readers will agree that the poem to which the first prize has been awarded well deserves it. Admitting that the source of its form and metre is easily recognisable, the author shows an intimate knowledge of her subject, and a happy knack of expression, which is well maintained throughout. The interest in the story iteelf is never allowed to flag, and we commend the poem to the teachers of Taranaki children as perhaps a useful medium for introducing their scholars to one of the most interesting phases of the history of the province. The author of the poem to which the second prize is awarded can also be congratulated upon very creditable work. She has originality, some skill in phrasing, and has woven the thread of the story she tells quite dexterously.

We have again to thank many school teachers and friends of the children competitors for supervising and certifying the children’s work. This was very valuable assistance which _we much appreciate. The title page of this number, which again is quite a distinctive feature, is the work of Mr. Benoni White, of Mangorei, and proclaims him to be an artist of rare ability. He has succeeded in conveying to the eye a pleasing picture of some main points of interest in Taranaki—a view of old Egmont, with the northern hostelry in the foreground ; the Waiwakaiho River; historic Paritutu, and a glimpse of the port of Moturoa. The views are bordered by the sinuous supplejack, redolent of the Taranaki bush, and entwining the letters of tha “Christmas Number” appears the native clematis, the sheaths of which grace the top and bottom of the central monogram, “T.D.N.” The lettering right through ie very chaste, and smacks of the festive season, and altogether the heading is one that does great credit to the artist, to whom we desire to offer our congratulations and grateful thanks.