WELLINGTON COMPETITIONS.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17861, 6 September 1923, Page 10

WELLINGTON COMPETITIONS.

CLEVER CHRISTCHURCH GIRLS

(SPECIAL TO "THE PBI88.'') "WELLINGTON, September 5. The Musical and Elocutionary Competitions here continue to attract very large audiences at the J*own Hall. -The work in most of the nd'ulfc classes has not lately been of a high order; as a matter of fact, much of it is below mediocrity. The children, on the other hand, are acquitting themselves most creditably, «vnd Kathleen Head, the little five-year-old girl from Christchurch, has shown such extraordinary genius that the people are never tired of listening to her. The naturalness of her acting is simply amazing, and whenever she appears she has . the big audience in fits of laughter, which is followed hy loud and prolonged plaudits as she concludes her Yesterday her imitation of a baby learning to walk astonished everyone, including the judge of elocution (Mr Allen), who comes from Australia, ph® also sang last evening, and received top marks. Two other clever girls, under 1A from Chrstchurch —Esme Evans wd Kathleen Chappie —were close up second and third respectively; Of this particular contest, the judge (Mr Roland Foster) said that the mothers and teachers of these .children were doing good work in keeping them so delightfully natural. The winner had a natural style which seejned to come from -within, and was more like inspira-

tion on her own part than the result of any teaching. She waa fresh, spontaneous f and delightfully girlish. She was quite a genius of a small order, and if she went on as she promised, she might develop into an Ellen Terry or a Marie Tempest. {PBBRS ASSOCIATION TBLUGBAIf.) WELLINGTON, September 5. To-day's results were:— Society's Scholarship, £lO 10s, Piano Solo, Own - Selection —Finlay Eobb (Christchurch), 172 points, 1; Miss Joyce Browning (Wellington), 162 points, 2. The judge said the winner promised to become a very fine pianist indeed. . Begg Shield Choir Contest—TV ellington Orpheus l Choir, 238 points, lj Hamilton Choral Choir, 208 points, 2.