THE COMPETITIONS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 April 1938, Page 13

THE COMPETITIONS.

[TO THE EDITOR.] ,1 Sir, —I have read with interest the ' several letters from persons evidently much interested in the welfare of the West Coast Competitions and a. reply to the correspondents by the secretary,Mr. R. T. Bush. The only suggestions for improvement in the conduct of the Competitions are that the personal of the committee be enlarged. This matter may be worth considering by those in authority, but on the other hand the change may prove cumbersome especially if new elected persons were unaware of the present committee s work or the requirements of the public in the much-needed change of syllabus and policy. In case several of your correspondents are unaware of the original constitution of the Society founded in the year 1907, I would advise them that the Society was founded by the Trinity and St. Columba Literary and Debating Clubs, enhanced later by the Methodist, Young Men’s and United Clubs. St. Mary’s, Hokitika, and St. Canice's. Westport were also affiliated. The former clubs elected delegates, and these formed the executive committee. The Competitions for many years afterwards mainly consisted of contests between nominated members of each club for senior and junior cups as well as individual championship medals and trophies. The items counting for club cup contests being as follow: Impromptu speeches and debates, prepared speech, oration, prepared reading, sight reading, Shakespearian recital.

■ test recital, own selection recital and own selection musical monologue. Each club nominated six contestants for each of these items, and the three highest scores of points in each item counted for the cup contests. The interest displayed in the annual contests by club members, their followers and the public generally, was enormous, with the result that the Town Hall used to be packed to the doors on many days, and nights during the currency of Competition Week. Club members practised the various items very diligently throughout the winter months, assisted by experienced coaches. Even though the competitive spirit was exceptionally keen in the various clubs, a. wonderful community spirit was manifested by the competitors which was invariably commented on by adjudicators, visitors and audiences.

In recent years club officials, rightly or wrongly, maintained that executive I officials were not giving the club contest. items sufficient prominence in the! programmes, and that they were being gradually relegated to the background, and preference bestowed to instrumental, vocal, dancing items, etc. That policy appeared to be adopted by the executive in an attempt to encourage interest with the public at the period of the severe trade depression, and opposition by the new talkie picture shows. The public at that period craved for lighter entertainment, and did, not seem to relish the serious side of higher literature etc. As therq, was a financial loss at each annual competition which the constituent clubs and individual members were responsible for, the clubs eventually decided to resign rather than incur any more financial obligations. The clubs formed a Debating League, carrying out their own competitions on a limited scale. The old Society have since then functioned as well as possible under the limited scope available, giving prominence to dancingitems, etc., and have pleased the limited audiences, and certain sections of the community. However, it seems to me that with the decided improvement in economic conditions in evidence and the public’s renewed interest in higher literature, debating, economic and world political matters, the public would probably enjoy now listening to the views expressed by our well-known experienced debaters and literary students. It. might be possible for the Society to arrange a conference with the Debating League with the object of acceding to an evident general desire of the public to hear the best well known local talent once again. It seems to me that the secretary in his letter by advising the several correspondents to form a new Society, showed a spirit tantamount to an admission of failure. One correspondent advocated for the secretary to call a public meeting to discuss the position with the idea evidently of helping the present Society out of their difficulties. This offer seems to be ridiculed for some unknown reason. However, the various discussions may eventually prove to be beneficial, and your correspondents deserve the thanks of the community for their efforts. It is to be hoped that in the near future all misunderstandings will be overlooked, and that, interested persons will again develop the necessary community spirit and work with the object of again making the West Coast Competitions Festival the leader of its kind in the Dominion. I am etc. J. H. KEDDIE.