COMPETITIONS OPEN

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 188, 8 May 1934, Page 10

COMPETITIONS OPEN

Manawatu Society’s Event FIRST DAY’S JUDGING ! Dominion Special Service. ’ Palmerston North, May 7. The Manawatu Competitions Society’s eleventh annual musical and elocutionary festival was commenced in the Empire Hall this afternoon. The fixture is being conducted on smaller lines than in previous years and is being held chiefly for the benefit of the younger competitors. Over 600 entries have been received, and of this number approximately onethird of the entries are from districts outside Palmerston North. The entries are considered very satisfactory in view of the fact that no prizes are being offered except certificates. The judges are ns follow:—Elocution, Miss Beatrice MacKenzie (Havelock North) ; vocal and instrumental, Mr. H. Barry Coney (Auckland); dancing. Miss Madeline Vyner (Wellington). The official accompanist is Mrs. A. J. McNeiliy. of Palmerston North. The Empire Hall and the Orient Hall are being used for the morning and afternoon sessions. The recalls are being heard in the Empire Hall at night. High praise by the judges, particularly in connection with the dancing competitions, was given. Colonel J. Rose who judged the national dancing, remarked that the competitors in his classes had shown that they had received very capable tuition, and some of them would do quite well at the big Scottish and Irish festivals. Misa Madeline Vyner, of Wellington, judge of the other dancing events, said that these also were of a very high standard. The character donees under 17 years had been some of the best she had ever seen at a competition. Results are as follow :— Recitation, boys, 9 and under 12: Jim McCarthy (Napier), 1; Hugh Pearce (Napier), 2. Highland fling, 9 and under: Russell Palmer (Wanganui), 1: Nola Cooper (Palmerston North), 2. Character recital, under 16: Doreen Purdy (Wellington), 1; Elaine Webber (Wellington), 2. Recitation, girls, 9 and under 12; Patty Cummins (Palmerston North). 1; Mamie Hoskins (Petone), 2. Character dance, 13 and under 17: Margaret Kerr (Westport), 1; Joyce Ramsay (Palmerston North). 2: Audrey Daniels (Wellington), 3. Irish jig, 12 and over: Margaret Kerr, 1; Claude Henderson (Bunnythorpe). 2: Betty Jenkins (Gisborne). 3. Skipping dance, over 12: Ethne Hemmingsen (Palmerston North) 1: Margaret Kerr, 2: Audrey Daniels 3.