AMATEUR TALENT

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 56, 4 September 1939, Page 5

AMATEUR TALENT

COMPETITION WINNERS

The principal trophies won .by competitors in the Wellington Competitions Society's 1939 festival were .presented by Lady Galway during the final demonstration programme in the Town Hall on Saturday night. The large; audience completely filled the hall, and the first-rate programme presented by a selection of win-, ing competitors was given' a deservedly good reception. , >

The presentation ceremony was held about half-way through the concert. Remarking that Lord Galway had been patron of the sociey since his arrival in New Zealand, the president - (Mr. W. I. Cunninghame) : said that the time was approaching when their Excellencies would bo leaving the; country and the society would-regret losing two people who had taken such an interest in its work.

Mr. Cunninghame apologised on behalf of the Won.' V. Fraser, who was to have presented the puizes, for his unavoidable absence through urgent.'national business. He hoped that later on Mr. Fraser, as Minister of Education, would be able to jrive the society some a(lyice and help about the suggested conservatoriuin of music. The president concluded by. thanking . the members of the executive, the staff, the competitors, the public, and all who had assisted towards, the success of the festival.

After'the pVizes had been presented, the immediate past president. Mr. .T. A. Martin ( in accordance'with the custom of the society, presented Mr. Cunninghame with his. gold president's badge, and at his request Lady Galway pinned the badge on Mr. Cunninghame's breast. A bouquet .-was - also publicly presented to tho ofHcial accompanist, Mrs. Audrey Gibson Foster. ..'..■■

Additional special awards are as follows: — Children's -chorus (Stewart Dawson and Company's Challenge Shield), Mrs. Tunley'a Lower Hutt children's choir; picture, story ballet (Mrs. Barton Ginger's Challenge Cup). Miss Joan Ralne's School of Dancing; popular song hit (Grace Moore Cup. presented by Columbia Pictures Pty.. Ltd.). Mr. C. W. Sherriffs, Ashhnrst; vocal, boy or girl (Mr. W. Maxwell's Cnri), Beulah Hirst. Mastert.on; acrobatic dance (Miss Joycelyn G'Smlth's Challenge Cup), Pat "Fraser. Kawakawa; eccentric dance (championship belt). Coral Fraser. Kawakawa; dance duo. under' 9 years (cups presented by anonymous donor), Pauline Bierman and Arnold Blrcham. Wellington (winners hare won three years in sviccession) ; men's elocution aggregate (Messrs. Mayer and Kean's gold medal). Mr. Bichard Burgess. Lower Hutt; vocal aggregate, under 12 years (Mr. Assheton Harbord's Silver Medal).-Vald.a Crawford.