MASTERTON COMPETITIONS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10283, 11 July 1911, Page 5

MASTERTON COMPETITIONS.

THE OPENING DAY. OFFICERS.—Patron, His Excellency .the Governor; President, His Worship the Mayor; Vice-Presid-ents, Dr Cook and Mr G. R. Sykes; Treasurer, Mr James Pryor; Jaidges, Dr Bradshaw (Cliristehurch), and. Mr C. N. Baeyertz (Wellington), Accompaniste, Mrs F. Montague; Committee, Messrs G. C. Branson, H. S. Claughton, J. C. Cooper, Alex. Donald, D. Hebenton, Rev. A. Hodge, J. T. M. Hornsby, F. Hium, Geo. Hutchinson, H. C. L. Robinson, It. W. Rob son, O. Pragnell, M. R. Yarnham, A. H. Vile, Rev. H. Watson, E. R. Wilson, Pureell Webb, and It. J. Young; Secretary, Mr William Gillespie. The initial competitions under the allspices of the Masterton Musical and Elocutionary Competitions Soj ciety open in Masterton. this afternoon. The history of the Society may be told in a few words. The Wadrarapa Age, hearing that competitions of the' kind were ibeing successfully conducted in. other parts of the Dominion, suggested that Masterton should fall into line. The idea appealed to Mr R. J. Young ( and other -musicians of the town, I who wrote, endorsing the isuggesI tion. The evening paper threw in its I little lofc. A public meeting was j called; the Society was formed; a | strong Committee was elected; an attractive programme wasi issued; ! iand to-day sees the inauguration of ia form of education and entertainment which promises to be a permarnent and prosperous institutioni in the town. The number of entries received for the various events—.3s2 exceeded the most sanguine' expectations, and the response of the public to the appeal for financial assistance was spontaneous and generous. The whole of the' arrangements are complete, and the town during the next j few days will be filled with "music, i art and merriment." Most of the I competitors from long distances have } already arrived. The first item on the programme to-day will be the musical monologue, for winch there are fourteen entries. Tl\e competitors come from all parts of the Province, including Wellington, Pahnerston North, ' Otaki, Wa.ika.nae, Waipukurau, and Eketahuna. At two o'clock His Worship the Mayor will formally declare the festival open. The second itom on the programme' win be the memorised song, and this . will be followed by the vocal duet, Scotch song, piano solo and baritone solo, Tv-bile in the Wesleyan Schoolroom the humorous recitation, and recitation; for girls under twelve will be taken. In the Town Hall in the evening the piano duet will be taken, the soprano solo, and the tenor solo, together with the finals of the items taken in the afternoon. Mr F. J. Hunn is acting as supervisor, and the Rev. A. Hodge as assistant supervisor. ! A final reminder for competitors: —Note well the time of your competition; have your music in, good order; make- sure if your name is on the re-call board; remember there are no "beg pardons." If you miss your chance there ds no hope of a recall. The judge's time is too valuable to listen to excuses. The charge for admission to Wesley Hall is only sixpence. There are some very interesting items to be decided thereSeason tickets, costing 10s 6d. admit lady and gent to all peri mances, day and night, and will ac' ait four juniors to any day session. Seats may be hooked at Miss Rive's for all four evenings. The booking tee is 6d extra for each seat. Mrs Montague, the official accompaniste to the competitions, arrived . yesterday .morning, and spent a (busy time- during the afternoon, and evening at the Town Hall with competitors. Miss Hutchins, from Westport> Miss Pinches, from Wanganui; Miss Maokay, Messrs E. L. Lees, Claud Smith, L. W. Hunlon and otiher competitors arrived in Masterton) yesterday. At a meeting of the Competitions Society Committee last night, in the Town Hall, final details were arrangt ed, and complete arrangements made •for the ■successful carrying out of the individual items. Mr Baeyertz was priesemt, and made several suggestions as to the arrangements. The telephone has heen laid om, and will prove of great, use to the secretary. Item 14, "Vocal timed for 2 o'clock this afternoon, <wiU not take place till tins evening.