COMPETITIONS OPEN.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 246, 17 October 1929, Page 10

COMPETITIONS OPEN.

SUPPORT FOR SOCIETY.

"PUBLIC'S OBLIGATION."

LARGE ELOCUTION ENTRIES.

Although some months ago it seemed that the Auckland Competition Society's festival last year would bo the last, the society has been able !>y a strong cam-

paign, to secure the support necessary for it to carry on, and the first festival since its reorganisation was opened in the Lewis Eady Hall to-day, with entries which are proof that the value of the competitions is not ignored. So large are v the entries for some elocution classes that it may be necessary for the judge to ring the bell for the performer to leave the stag© before the number is finished so that the whole class may bo heard within the prescribed time. The public's obligation to support such an institution was stressed by Mr. Lance Craig, judge of vocal classes. ValUf of Elocution. Regret at'the few entries in some of the boye' classes was expressed by the elocution judge, Mr. J. W. Bailey. "It muet be remembered," said Mr. Bailey, "that elocution means more than coming out and doing something pretty. For boye,. elocution is a training for later life and business, in which it is address that always counts. It is unfortunate that there 3e not enough interest in competitions for what they niean in civic ife. With the introduction of such entertainment as wireless and talking pictures, individual effort, especially among children, may be lost. Through the growth of commerce, people in America are not so artistic in the maeses as they were; it is not impryseiblo that the same thing will happen in New Zealand through mechanical entertainment. Aβ the country grows, the aesthetic tastes will have to be more closely attended to."

Seven of the twelve classes held to-day were for children, and most of those to be held this evening are for younger performers. Those for adult performers are the Tenor Solo (three recalls), Ladies' Test Recitation (three recalls) and Soprano or Mezzo Operatic Solo (three recalls). A fifteen-minute entertainment (music, song or story) entitled "The Invitation" will be presented by "The Hopafuls," and Miss Lillian O'Leary'e ballet will be seen in the Junior Combined Ballet class. The evening session will commence at 7.30, when the festival will be officially opened. Judges for the festival are: Elocutionary, Mr. J. William Bailey (Wanganui); vocal, Mr. Lance Craig (Hastings); instrumental, Mme. Grace Griffiths (Wanganui); dancing, Miss Audrey Hughes-Johnson (Wanganui). Miss Theo. Halpin (Auckland) is the official accompanist. Results are as follow: — TEST RECITATION. Boys under 16. Jack Ferris (Onehunga), 78 pts. 1; Harry Wakelin (Remuera), 77, 2; Albert McLeod (Green Lane), 75, 3. "Natural work is what is wanted from a child," eaid the judge. "It is most regrettable if anything of the child is lost through the work.. It was the thought behind the winner's work that made it outstanding." , SONG IN CHARACTER. Children under IC. Own selection. Recalls: Rena Geddes (Mount Eden), "Buy my Roses"} Desmond Casey (Birkdale), "0 Sole Mio"; Joy Simon (Remuera), "A Japanese Proposal"; Gladys Cain (Point Chevalier), "Little Lady Wide Awake."' "A "good class with some nice performinces," was the comment of the judge; "The only disappointment was the choice of some of the songs. . Children should be encouraged to sing a good class of song, and the audience should exercise whatever influence it can in that direction. An affected style of speech, which ie a phase of theatrical work, and' to which I object very much, spoilt some of the performances." CHARACTER DANCE. Children under 9. Patricia Boyle (Heme Bay), 1; Koanui (Simeon (Mount Eden), 2: Frank Parke(Opaheke), 3. . Too.many of the children, said the judge, favoured Russian dances which were not good for their future in dancing.