THE COMPETITIONS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21809, 4 September 1945, Page 2

THE COMPETITIONS

Sir,—l heartily approve of the letters written by “Best Wishes,” “Footlights,” and “bigger” about Demonstration Night and I think the matinee for the children is badly needed. But I Avould also like to add a few remarks about the weekly programme which, in my opinion, was ruined . by the condensing of so many items into so few days. Much of the best adult singing was not even heard by the public as at the last minute the competitors were told their sections had been postponed and also were sent to a smaller hall with an inferior piano and very poor seating accommodation and acoustic properties. A small hall is only fit for children’s voices, and why the adults should not be considered in this matter is beyond my comprehension. Why on earth can t the committee arrange for an extra two days and let every one get home earlier at night, and not be tired out by running all over the- place during the week 9 It was most awkward for some of the adult competitors to appear at all when the sections were postponed. It is nerve-wracking enough to wait behind the wings for any length of time, however short, without being told that the section is cancelled for two or three hours, and having to come back and go through it nil again. Our Gisborne Festival used to be the event of the year, but it is going downhill very, rapidly through want of proner organisation. “AN OLD COMPETITOR.”