GREY COMPETITIONS

Grey River Argus, 20 May 1938, Page 5

GREY COMPETITIONS

NEW SOCIETY MEETS. A meeting of the newly-formed Greymouth Competitions Society was held last evening at Trinity Hall. Ven. . Archdeacon Jermyn presided over a good attendance. The secretary of the Ashburton Competitions Society advised that their festival was being held from August 22 to 29, and they wished the Greymouth Society' every success. On this information it was decided that the Greymouth Competitions should commence on Monday, 29th, ending with two demonstration concerts to he held on September 2 and 3 respectively. It was unanimously agreed that, the Society become incorporated, and be known as the “Greymouth Competitions Society (Inc ).** It was reported that schools and teachers had been approached, and it was ascertained that full support would be forthcoming for classes for choirs, verse-speaking choirs, one-act nlays, etc. Debating societies also had given the assurance that impromptu speeches and debates would be patronised, and classes were arranged accordingly. Reports and draft programmes were submitted by the respective sub-com-mittees appointed to arrange for the elocutionary, dancing, and vocal and instrumental musical sections, all of the proposed programmes being considered of a very attractive nature and approved. Previous programmes were to some extent altered, and many new and popular classes Instituted. It was decided that test pieces should be selected by the sub-com-mittee dealing with each particular class, and should not be lift for the judge to select, as was previously' the ease. It was pointed out that the number of classes now greatly exceeds that of last year, and by the process of interchanging sections luring the evening sessions, it will be possible to hold more items without any loss of time, and complete the programme reasonably early. New" sections will include classes for mouth organs; piano accordeons; acc.ordeon or concertina; choirs, • impromptu speeches and debates. It was considered that these improvements would restore the festival In popular estimation to the position it held before anv decline set In.

It was farther reported that many business firms had already offereci cups and trophies for competition, and the committee were assured of their full support. The committee felt confident of the unqualified success of the new society, and Ihe enthusiasm so far displayed augurs well for record entries this year.