READING COMPETITION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1522, 19 August 1912, Page 2

READING COMPETITION.

1). SCHOOL CHILE-REX AT SHAKESPEARE. The reading competition among pupils at secondary schools conducted annually by the Wellington .Shakespeare Club, was held on Saturday morning, tho judges being Miss Holmes, Miss England, and Mr. E. S. Baldwin. The competition consists of a prepared reading, and a reading at sight, both from Shakespeare's plays, and two prizes arc offered, ono for girls and one for boys. The number of entries this year was not as large as the club would'like to see, particularly in tho boys' section, nor were tho pupils who .appeared quite equal to those who presented themselves last year. Several of the competitors gave creditable readings, whilo others found the difficulties of interpreting Shakespeare 10l be beyond their powers. Tho lest pieces chosen by tho judges gave scope for declamation', but the soliloquies were, in the caso of some of tho competitors, not understood, and their interpretation suffered in consequence. The judges have ample evidence, nt this annual examination that an interest in Shakespeare is awakened, and that the reading aloud in our schools has improved. Tho prize-winners this year are:—Miss Dora Pope (Girls' College). 8. and Master R. Rishworth (Boys' College), 72. Other placed comnetilors were-.—Yiss Lydin Field (Chilton House School). Si. and Mis.") Kato Stoekcr (Fitzherbert Terrace School) .82-.