THE COMPETITIONS

Evening Post, Volume C, Issue 88, 11 October 1920, Page 3

THE COMPETITIONS

FINAL CONCERTS

PRESENTATION OF PRIZES

The 1920 season of the Wellington Competitions Society was brought to a successful conclusion, on Saturday night. The Grand Opera House was crowded iwith an enthusiastic audience, the evening's entertainment being a fitting finale to the three weeks', series of contests. The champions of the tests were the entertainers, and tKeir performances were indeed creditable.

The matinee was under Vice-Regal patronage, and their Excellencies the Governor-General (Viscount Jellicoe) and Lady Jellicoe expressed high appreciation of the standard set and the extra-' ordinary nbility of the juvenile contestants who contributed. The evening programme was opened by Master Willie Wndinan, who played with nice feeling the piano, solo, "A Village Festival." Other pianoforte specialties were by Miss Theima Gallaher (Auckland), the lady champion, and Mies Nettie Purdie. National dances were given by Misses Jean M'Lachkn and Jean Jl'Kenzie. The elocutionary section featured Miss Florence Churchill (the lady champion) in "Marguerite," and Mr. K. S. Dillon (gentleman champion), who recited "Othello's Defence." Miss Florence. M'Kain gave "Claribel's Prayer," with excellent dramatic effect for one co youthful; and the Potion scene from "Romeo and Juliet," by Miss G-wen Dalton, was a popular item. Mr. E. C. Smythe gave a humorous recitation. "The J.P.." and Miss Marjoi-ie Willcocks the humorous character sketch "As I Say to Mre. B." Mis,3 Aloxa Elton gave "a Waltz Quadrille." The vocal part of the programme was in good hands. Miss Marjorie Clarke revealed a mezzo-soprano voice of great sweetness and culture in the song (Eegg's Scholarship) "0, My Garden Full of. Roses," for. which the audience would have liked a, .recall. With her fister, Miss Doris Clarke, she gave the duct "Sincerity." Miss Millie Knight) | ;i powerful mezzo-soprano,, gave "What's in this Air To-day?'" and the contralto solo "Salaam" was. sung by Mrs. Covtry. The numerous action song of Miss My Heart," from "Samson ahd Delilah," was given by Mrs. W J, Covenentry. The humorous action song of Miss Wilma Summerhayes, ''A Child's ; Lament," and Misses Winnie Cooley'and Joyce Julian with their quaint duet in costume, "An Old Romance," were very entertainin;,;. Mr. Rowland . Smith | (Christchurch) sang "Once in the Long Twilight," and Mr. R. J. Bryan the . bass solo "Curfew." Miss Diana, Tabor's toe-dance in costume was a pleasing number.' The choir of. St. Mary of the Angels did some fine part-singing in their two choruses. Mr. E. J. Healy, conductor, and the members of the choir, ars to be complinfented on their excellent performance. Following are the cliampionship winners in the various competitions : —• Elocution •Championship, ladies.—Miss Florence Churchill. \ Elocution Championship, gentlemen.— Mr. K. S. Dillon. Junior' Elocution, girls.—Miss M. Coo ley. • Junior Elocution, boys.—Master Willis Knox. Piano.—Miss. Thelma Gallaher. Vocal, gentlemen.—Mr. D. M'Gill. Vocal, ladies.—Mrs. W. J. Coventry. Highland dancing (under 12).—Miss Jean M'Lachlan. ' . Highland dancing (12 and under 16).— Miss Thelma JM'Kenzie. Highland duacing (over 17). —Miss Jean M'Kenzie. Clark and Morris's . special prize.— Mrs. W. J. Coventry. ' Mr. Oakes's special prize.—Miss Nellie Amies. Kaiapoi Woollen Company's special prize. —Miss F. Churchill. During the presentation of prizes, Mr. L. B, Partridge (vice-president of the society) thanked the Wellington public for their hearty support. This year's had excelled all previous competitions. ' The talent of the performers was also eulogised, and thanks were given to tho judges, Mr. Harold Gregson, Auckland (who had coive at a minute's notice to fill this place of Mr. Layers' in the musical section), and Mr. Stanley Warwick (Sydney}, elocutionary, judge*, and Mrs.,Oleland (Wjnganui), judge of dancing, for their work, which had been so satisfactory. Mr. Harold Whittle's services as accompanist were highly lauded, andU donors of special prizes were thanked. A word of praise was given to the work of Mr. M'Lachlan, stage manager, who had had arduous work, but did it smilingly. _ Mr. Jemner's work as secretary was highly complimented, and there had been no hitch in regardl to the 1800 entries reoaivted. The press, the reporters, and others assisting were thanked, and; a. special word of praise was accorded Mr. M'Kenna and the staff of the Opera House for valuable assistance, and' also the lady ticket sellers, whose work was voluntary. It was the desire of the [ society, said Mr. Partridge, to build up a substantial reserve, which would be utilised for the establishment of scholarships so that art and music would be cultivated.

Messrs. Grogson and Warwick, in returning thanks, expressed their high appreciation of the excellent work of the society and, the high standard of the work of the performers. Mr. Warwick concluded : ''Aim high, keep up the standard, and the educational aspect will never be negtected."