COMPETITIONS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 308, 22 September 1920, Page 8

COMPETITIONS

OPENING DAY'S SECTIONS GOOD ENTRIES Tho Wellington Competitions Society's annual iiistedfodd— now an established event—commenced at the Grand Opera House yesterday under somewhat dfrprttttitijf circumstances. Outside rain fell steadily and drearily from leaden skies, which was the> reverse of a.tonio to the more or less perturbed spirits of the competitors; and neither the musical nor tho elocutionary judge, had arrived owing to circumstances over wJiich no one had the slightest control. The judge of music, Mr, Gordon Layers, of Sydney, was unable to make tho trip on account of an accident which had crippled him temporarily. His place was taken yesterday by Air. Lawrence P. Watkins, and from to-day Jlr. Harold Oregon, of Auckland, will officiate. Jlr. I Stanley Warwick, tho judge of elocution, nlso of Sydney, will not arrive until this morning. His duties yesterday were assumed by the ltev, A. E. Hunt I (president of the society and himself an elocutionist of parts). The Grand Ope'rn House is much better adapted for the purposes of Competitions than the Town Hull, and the change was distinctly for the better. During the day t.h-a elocution sections were heard in the rfihearsal room (above the dress circle foyer), the main auditorium lwing retie'rved for the vocal sections. The stage was well boxed-in, and a temporary ceiling acted weil as a soundiug board. Mr. J. M'Kenna is responsible for • the stage setting and the arrangements behind the stage. The duties of stage manager are in tlie capable hands of Mr. W. P. M'Laclilan. Mr. G. W. Jenner is. as usual, to be found at the secretarial desk. A wonderful asset to the yocnl side of the competitions is the engagement as accompanist of Mr. Harold Whittle. The Official Opening. Tn officially opening tho competitions last evening, the president (Rev. A. E. Hunt) said that for the third year they were presenting to Wellington audiencei entertainments..which would bo marked by varied and interesting programmes. Judging by the number of competitors

offering, they had every right to assume that the competitions tad come to stay. Ho apologised: for the non-appearance yesterday of the two gentlemen who were to act as judge? of music and elocution, who had been highly recommended from Sydney. Provisional 'arrangements had to be made, and other judges had to lie selected to make up tho deficiency. In that connection Mr. Laurence Wntkins had made a very able temporary substitute for Mr. Gordon Layers, who was not able- to be present. Jlr. La vers had met with an unfortunate accident, that would entirely prevent him coming over. Fortunately their old and esteemed friend, Mr. Harold Gregson, was in Auckland,' and on being communicated with had at once expressed his willingness to help them in the' emergency, and Mr. Gregson would take Mr. Laver's place. (Applause.) Mr. Fulton was again with them as judjte of Highland dancing. Jlr. Hunt added a word of encouragement tc the competitors, pointing out the fallibility of judges, and said that if they did not all take prizes tliev should take their defeat in the best spoiling spirit. The Results.Design for Programme Cover.—Mr. Skelton, Auckland, -lj Miss Fielding, Wellington, y.h.c.; Mr. Harry Clarke, Auckland, li.c,; Jlr. Albert Hooper, Auckland. c. Piano Solo, 18 and under 21. Consolation" (Lizst).—Recalls—Miss Audrey

Rutter, Wellington; 'Mies Elina J.■ ob " ertson, Wellington; Miss. Berta. Zollei, Wellington. ... Final—Miss Robertson. 158pts., 1; Miss Zoller, llOpts., 2; Miss Rutter, Ulpts., 3. ilezzo-Soprano Sclo. "Two Roseß (Hnllet Gilberte).—Hecnlls—Miss Haliertia Perrv, Wellington; Mi6s Marjone G. Clarke, Wellington; Miss V. M. Newman, Wellington Final-Miss Clarke, lGSpts., lr. Miss Newman. 163pts., 2; Miss Perry.ls<pts ,3. Scottish Song (Gentlemen). Own selection.—lteca 1 Is—Albert L. Pickett, Brooklyn; D. M'Gill, Christchurch; Stratford Hollis, Christchurch. Finalr-Mr. Pickett, 140nts. 1; Mr. M'Gill. 137pts., 2; Mr. Hollis, 132pts., 3. Recitation (Ladies). "Tho Song of the Market' -Place."-Recalls-Florence Churchill. ICelburnj Aggie Atkins, Lower Hutt; Alexa Elton, Wellington. Final-Miss Cliurchill, 174pts., 1; Miss Elton, lefipts., 2; Miss Atkins, 132pt5.,3. Recitation (Gentlemen). 'First Appearance at the Odeon." —Recalls Lionel Inch, Wellington; Jack J. Deere, Auckland; K. S. Dillon, Wellington. Final-Yet to be decided. Sacred Solo. Own selection—Recalls -Mrs W. ,T. Coventry, Wellington, "\\ oe Unto Them"; Mrs. C. F. P. Mercer. Dannevirke. "Ho Was Despised ; Mr.?, yipieo Goldsmith, Wellington. 0 Divino Redeemer." Final—Yet to be decided. Song in Character (humorous). Own selection—Recalls — Dulcio Philpott, Christchurch, "Oh, Trenc.hy ; Ldna Maciirthy, "Baggy Breech.es'.'; Jauies Grieve, Wellington, Uoch and Doris." " , Final—D. Grieve, 167 points, 1; Edna "Macarthv, 148 points, 2; Dulcie Philjjott, 117 points, 3. , Shakespearean Recital, lady or gentleman, under 21. Own selection, iye-calls-—Florenco Churchill, Juliet ; Leith Rjddell, Wellington, Henry \ before Agincourt"; Alexa Wellington, "Portia or Her J/>vei'B. Final—yet to be decided. Humorous Recitation, boy or girl, 1and under 16. Own selection, hection A.—Retails—Betty Mcnnrd. _ Wellington, "So Was I"; Ngaire Phipson, Wellington, "Competition. Section 15 —Recalls—W. H. Knox, Wellington, "Battle of Gore"; Mary Cooley, Wellington. "The Shoo Shop. Final-Section A: Ngaire Phipwm, 163 points, 1; Betiy Menard, 158 points, „. Section Ji: Mary Cooley, 156 points, 1, tt. H. lCnox, 113 points, 2. The Evening Programme. The results of the day's classes pw(luced quite an exccllc-nt aud vancu evening entertainment. __