THE STORY OF THE JUDGING

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 28, 28 October 1926, Page 5

THE STORY OF THE JUDGING

HOW THE DIFFERENT STAGES WERE . CONDUCTED. THE FINAL TEST. Now that we have reached so far in the Wellington section of the “Miss New Zealand" Beauty Contest, it is perhaps worth while to review the position. Our readers have been kept fully informed of the progress of events, and it is a matter of congratulation that up to the present all has worked smoothly. The first stage of the judging was from the photographs. Three independent and capable judges (Dr. Platts-Mills, Mr. Ellis, of the Art School, and a "Dominion" representative), examined all the photographs of competitors—head and shoulders and bathing costume. It was a most searching scrutiny, extending over several days, in which every possible consideration was given to the candidates. As the result of this examination of the photographs, the judges singled out some 50 or 60 of the candidates for personal ini terviews. Many of the candidates live in the country districts—some at Nelson. In order that country candidates should have every chance, the judges travelled to Wanganui and Palmerston North, and invited selected candidates to meet them there (at our expense), from as far away as Gisborne, Taranaki, and Hawkes Bay. The expenses of selected Nelson and *Wairarapa candidates invited to come to Wellington were met by us, and all these candidates were seen by the judges before making their final selection of the twelve to go to the poll. It was a most difficult task to choose twelve from over 300 pretty girls, and it was of course obvious that as tastes differ in these matters, all may not agree with the whole of the selection made; but the decision was reached only after the exercise of the utmost care and scrupulous fairness. That is the point. It is a very fine thing that with one or two exceptions the girls all took the decision in a splendid sporting spirit. Now the second stage of the judging has been passed—from the 12 chosen by the judges “Dominion” subscribers have chosen the four finalists to go to the next ballot. The counting of "The Dominion” coupon votes has been a tremendous task. Sackful after sackful of coupons have been poured in, and the returning officers have had their work cut out. Fortunately we were able to secure the services of officers experienced in conducting Parliamentary and municipal polls, otherwise it would have been impossible to carry out the work in the time. Starting on Tuesday morriing a team of six were kept busy until 5 o’clock the following morning, before that day’s consignment of coupons was counted. Yesterday it was a desperate business. Votes passed in by tens of thousands. However, that is now behind us. ' To-night the third stage of the judging commences. The four Wellington finalists will appear at the Grand Opera House, where the Williamson Vaudeville Company (N.Z. Entertainers, Ltd.), will be performing. Each member of the audience will be given a voting coupon, and will vote for the candidate he or she thinks should be “Miss Wellington." At the close of the season the candidate having most votes will become “Miss Wellington,” and the next highest her Maid of Honour. Then comes the final stage. “Miss Wellington,” “Miss Otago,” “Miss Canterbury,” and “Miss Auckland,” with their Maids of Honour, will all assemble at Auckland. There the eight will appear before five judges: One to be nominated by “The Dominion,” one by the Dunedin "Star,” one by the Christchurch “Star,” and one by the Auckland “Star,” the fifth by N.Z. Entertainers, Ltd. These five judges will choose which of the eight candidates shall be “Miss New Zealand," and which her Maid of Honour. Ihe voting of the judges probably will be by secret ballot, so as to ensure absolute freedom of choice on the merits. That is th? story of the judging. May the prettiest girl win. ARRIVING TO-DAY. “MISS CANTERBURY” AND “MISS OTAGO.” AND THEIR MAIDS OF HONOUR. By this morning’s boat from Christchurch there will arrive in Wellington “Miss Canterbury” (Miss Pyecroft) and her Maid of Honour (Miss Mann), and “Miss Otago” (Miss McMillan) and her Maid of Honour (Miss Osten). They have had a thrilling time in the South. Interest has been intense wherever they have been, and as they drove around in their Pontiac coaches, supplied for the occasion by the representatives of General Motors, Ltd., their movements have been followed by excited crowds anxious to see the beauty finalists. Here in Wellington these young ladies will appear in the Beauty Pageant at the Grand Opera House each evening, in conjunction with our own Wellington finalists. The voting of the audience, of course, will be confined to the four Wellington finalists, for the selection is to be for “Miss Wellington” and her Maid or Honour. The presence of our Southern rivals will, however, add interest to the occasion, and afford opportunity for comparing the different types of beauty. During the next four days the four Wellington finalists will have placed at their disposal two Chrysler cars provided by the Todd Motor Company. The Wellington colours will be yellow and black. “Miss Wellington,” whoever she may prove to be, is promised yet another addition to her list of presents, the donors in this case being the Te Aro House Drapery Coy. The gift in this instance is a ten-guinea frock or costume —a charming addition to the young lady’s wardrobe for the Auckland trip. Madame Cowan, milliner and costumier, makes the offer of a wedding veil for “Miss New Zealand,” provided she gets married within twelve months.