SINGER DEPARTS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 301, 16 September 1936, Page 3

SINGER DEPARTS

Entrant in Ballarat Operatic Contest MR. RAY TREWERN Last of the passengers to board the Maunganui yesterday before the gangway was withdrawn and the liner sailed for Sydney was Mr. Ray Trewern, winner of “The Dominion” grand opera contest at the recent Wellington Competitions. He was setting out for Ballarat, to compete in the Melbourne “Sun” operatic aria contest, and to embark on a career of music, which, he stated, would take him eventually to London. “I have had a lot of letters from Australia,” he said, “and quite a number of them say that I have a good chance of success in the contest. Of course, anything that I might say would be thought biased, but I can tell yon that, because it’s independent opinion. “I do not think this year’s competition is likely to produce many surprises. I shall not know until I arrive over there if there are any new entrants in the field. “I believe the singing is to start at Ballarat on September 28, and the final will be on October 8, at the Melbourne Town Hall. “No, I shall not be coming back to New Zealand, at any rate not for some time. If I am successful in this aria contest I shall go straight on to England; If Ido not do so well, I suppose I shall be staying some time in Australia, probably broadcasting. Before I leave I should like to take this last chance to thank all those who have assisted me, and encouraged me. “Good-bye. . .” The gangway Was removed, the portal in the ship’s side closed. The Maunganui, with Mr. Trewern waving at the rail, started fop Sydney. Among those who said farewell to Mr. Trewern at the ship’s side were Mr. Barton Ginger, president of tho Wellington Competitions Society. Mr. E. R. Myers, vice-president, Mr. G. W. Morgan, a member of the executive, and Mr. S. G. Creswell, secretary. The Competitions Society has been informed by Mrs. A. C. Barton, of Geraldine. who was second in the Wellington competition, and who also has en- • tered the Ballarat contest, that she will arrive in Wellington to-morrow morning and leave the same night for Auckland to board the Awatea there.