COMPETITIONS FESTIVAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 August 1933, Page 2

COMPETITIONS FESTIVAL

OPENING DAY The annual festival of the West Coast Competitions Society opened this morning, and will continue for one week. There are record entries, all classes having filled remarkably well, and all augurs well for a most successful festival. Classes are being taken in both the Town and Trinity Halls. Last year’s senior elocution champion, Mr. T. Learmont, the junior champion, Mr. F. Stevens (Christchurch), and the lady champion, Miss M. Bond, are all in the field again, and with numerous competitors new to the competitions, the championships should be keenly contested. The three senior clubs, Trinity (last year’s winners), St. Columba, and United, have full teams entered, and the competition is expected as keen and close as in former years. The junior clubs, Trinity (last year’s winners) and St. Columba both have teams entered again. The vocal and instrumental music sections, particularly the former have attracted large entries, while the dancing, as in former years, has drawn large numbers of competitors. The judges are: Elocution, Mr. J. R. Lester (Christchurch); Vocal and instrumental music, Mr. Sidney Williamson (Christchurch), oratory and debating, Mr. W. Meldrum, S.M., (Greymouth); dancing (national and Mrs. R. Triggs (Timaru). The official accompaniste is Miss Peggy Carroll, L.T.C.L. Results of classes decided before the “Star” went to press were: —

Highland Fling, novice, 12 and under: Zeta Austin 75 pts, 1; Margaret Hawthorn (Reefton) 73pts, 2; Leoni Michel 71pts, 3. H.C.: Ada Marley, D. Hazeldine, Una Clark. Also competed: Eileen Hamilton, Jean Gloss, Mae Stewart, Nola O’Loughlin, Vonnie Goodall, Annie Gallon, Thelma Smith, P. Thomas, L. Boustridge, Mabel Hogg, N. Wood, Gladys McKenzie. The judge, Mrs Triggs, said that the children in this class had reached a good standard for novices. In one or two cases the “cutting” had not been done quite correctly, but the first and second placed performers had both given nice, clean performances. Highland Fling, Junior (under 10): Valda Rouse 77pts, 1; Zeta Austin <Tspts, 2; Jessie Bell 74pts, 3. H.C.: Thelma Spark, Ada Marley, Leoni Michel, Mae Stewart.

Sean Triubhais, 10 and under 13 years: Recalls —Jessima Holt, Jacq. Reeves. Also competed: K. Thomson, M. Sinnott, Nola O’Loughlin, Imelda Austin, Noeline Orange, Mabel Hogg, Helen McLean, Althea Jackson, Ruth Stewart, P. Thomas, L. Boustridge, G. McKenzie, Una Clark, D. Hazeldine, M. Hawthorne.

Prepared Reading, “Dombey and Son,” men 16 and under 21 years: F. Stevens (Christchurch) 1; R. Kiely 2; B. Dargan 3. H.C.: J. Keddie. Also competed: R. Taylor, C. Parfitt, E. Casey, J. Gough, J. Daniel, R. Harvey, M. Morel, A. Gilligan.

The judge, Mr Lester, said the selection proved rather difficult for the competitors. The readings were good technically, but few got the spirit of the piece, and brought out the whimsical humoui’ of Dickens.

Sight Reading, men 16 years and under 21: J. Keddie 1; A. Gilligan 2; F. Stevens (Christchurch) and R. Kiely, equal, 3. H.C.: R. Taylor. Also competed: J. Daniel, E. Casey, R. Harvey, B. Dargan, C. Parfitt, J. Gough, M. Morel.

The selection was an excerpt from the prologue to “Henry V.” (Shakespeare), and the judge said that the handling of the blank verse was too much for most of the competitors. Before he announced his award's, he gave the young men the choice of having another less difficult piece or taking the first reading as final, and they chose the latter course. In neither of the two junior men’s readings were marks announced.

Sight Reading. Ladies 16 years and over: Miss K. Tibbles 87pts, 1; Misses N. McDonnell and P. Bond 84pts, equal, 2; Miss A. Smeaton 83pts, 3. H.C.: Misses M. Beban and M. McKay. Only competitors.

The ju.dge said the reading was all well done, and it was a splendid' section. All the competitors had secured high marks. Ladies Shakespearean Reading, selection from “As You Like It.” Ladies 16 years and over: Miss V. Richardson 79pts, 1; Miss P. Bond 78pts, 2; Miss M. Bond 76pts, 3. H.C.: Miss M. McKay. The judge said the section was quite good, but the competitors had failed to portray the character of Jacques, and the roguishness and' vivacity of Rosalind. TO-NIGHT’S PROGRAMME To-night at 7.30 at the Town Hall prior to the programme, the President, Mr. M. Keating, will welcome the Judges. The programme will include the chief piano solo, Sean Triubhais (final), Restricted Vocal Solo, Costume Ballet (first section), Men’s Shakespearean Recitation (final), Vocal Solo (girls under 12, final), Operatic Dance (under 10), and Character Sketch (lady or gentleman).