GREY COMPETITIONS

Grey River Argus, 29 August 1939, Page 12

GREY COMPETITIONS

32nd. FESTIVAL Yesterday’s Results The Greymouth Competitions’ Society’s 32nd. annual festival, was opened yesterday at the Town Hall and Wesley Hall. The day’s events were confined largely to the children s sections and recalls in several classes were taken last evening. The attendances In the day were fair, and at last evening’s official opening the Town Hall was only moderately attended. Ven. Archdeacon J. A. Jermyn, President of the Society, was in the chair at the opening ceremony and introduced the Mayor (Mr. k. A. Kitch.ngham). The Mayor, in declaring the festival open, said that it gave him a great deal of pleasure to bestow a municipal “blessing” on the competitions. He recalled that it was well over 30 years ago since competitions first became a feature of the life of the town. They had in the past competitors of a high calibre from all parts of New Zealand participating, whilst Greymouth competitors had made .their mark in many parts of the Dominion, principally in the oratorical field. Others had gained fame overseas as musicians. Although there were record entries, there were sections which did not give satisfaction to the committee. He \yould refer particularly to debating and oratory for men, and pointed out that there were strong debating clubs in the town, who, he hoped, would in future be fully represented at the competitions. He trusted that the competitors would have an enjoyable week, and that whether they won or lost they would take the decisions in a friendly spirit. He said that the committee felt that the three judges selected would be most competent, and would be a great help to the competitors. They came to Greymouth with the highest credentials, and it could be taken for granted’ that their decisions would meet with full approval. He trusted that the results of the competitions, both from the financial and artistic points of view, would be a reward for the hard work of the committee, and he wished the judges a pleasant stay in Greymouth. Mr. Alan F. McSkimming, replying on behalf of the judges, thanked the Mayor and the public for the welcome extended to them. Like most of his profession he mostly failed miserably when he had to make public speeches, but he would say that so far he had enjoyed the hospitality of the West Coast very much. When he had arrived on Saturday, he had been promptly “initiated” and was now able to feel that he was something of a West Coaster himself. The judges were there to do their duty impartially, and he would point out that those competitors who did not win, were not beaten for they were learning and building up for future contests. At the completion of the Competitions, he would be glad to give any advice required of him to competitors and parents. The judges are—Vocal and Instrumental: Mrs. N. Cocks (Christchurch); Elocution: Mr. Alan F. McSkimming (Auckland); Dancing: Miss Jean E. Scott (Palmerston North). The official accompanists are Mrs. V. Baird, A.T.C.L., and Mrs. Mollinson. The Mayor then declared the festival oflicially opened. Yesterday’s results were:—

Instrumental. Chief Piano Solo, lady or gentleman. Test “Troika”: —Miss Dorothy Hales (Stillwater), 80 pts., 1; Miss Jean Horrack, 78 pts., 2; Mrs. N. Butcher (Kotuku). 75 pts., 3. Also competed: Miss Margaret Marshall (Dobson). Violin Solo, Open (anj' age), Own Selection:—Colleen Phillips and Mavis Blake. 81 points, equal, 1; Jack Ryan (Hokitika), 80 pts., 3; R. E. Elcock (Hokitika), 75 points, 4. H.C., Guisippe Soster. Also competed: Rona Peillon, Doris Willis. The judge said that the class was one! of the best classes she had ever listened to. DANCING. (Judge, Miss Jean E. Scott, Palmerston North). Highland Fling (novice?;— Bernice Roper, 80pts 1; Margaret Bourke, 76pts 2; Pamela Leighs (Nelson), 75pts 3. V.h.c.: Georgina Closs (Dunollie). H.c.: Rosemary O’Brien (Kotuku), Valma Gilroy, Nancy Paterson (Hokitika). Also competed: Pearl Trembath, Pauline Kennedy, Clara Galway (Reefton), Estelle Gurdon, Claire Fraser (Hokitika), Jean Flood (Runanga), AuGrey Nott, Helen McMillan, Enid Duggan (Runanga), Colleen Cuniff. Sean Triubhais (under 12):— Daphne Goodall, 76pts 1; Isobel Gray (Dunedin) and Bernice Roper, 74pts, equal, 2. V.h.c.: Jewel Hawker (Christchurch); h.c.: Billy Boyle (Kaiata). Also competed: Shirley Hornsby, Patricia Schultze, Nancy Paterson (Hokitika). Sailor’s Hornpipe (under 13):— Betty Glen, Slpts 1; Isobel Gray (Dunedin), 76pts 2; Billy Boyle (Kaiata), 75pts 3. V.h.c.: Bernice Roper; h.c.: Mabel Galway (Reefton). Also competed: Jewel Hawker (Christchurch), Pamela Leighs (Nelson), Shirley Hornsby, Joan McMillan, Jack Knight (Gladstone), Patricia Schultze, Marie Gilroy, Beryl Rostern (Taylorville), Nancy Paterson (Hokitika). Operatic Dance (novice): — Joan McMillan, 79pts 1; Daphne Goodall, 73pts 2; Pamela Leighs (Nelson), 71pts 3. V.h.c.: Joan Moar; h.c.: Rosemary O’Brien (Kotuku), Margaret Bourke, Patricia Schultze Also competed: Shirley Price (Christchurch), Shirley Hornsby, Joyce Inglis, Gay Mullally, Miron Brown, Mavis Dunn, Colleen Cuniff, Phyllis Kinzett (Christchurch). Tap Dance (under 10):—Audrey Wood (Runanga), 84 points, 1; Margaret Leigjhs, 77 pts., 2; V.H.C., Estelle Gurdon, Audrey Nott, Joyce Picken. Also competed: Pauline Kennedy, Betty Meyers, Joan Ritchie (Christchurch), Daphne Goodall. Operatic Dance (13 and over):— Monica Sinnott, 77 pts., 1; Vonnie Goodall and Violet Sutton (Nelson), 74 points, equal, 2; Rosemary O’Brien (Kotuku), 73 points, 3. Also competed: Pat Gallagher, Joyce Inglis, ' Maudie Williams. Character or Semi-Character Dance (under 11):—Margaret Leighs (Nelson), 83 pts., 1; Nancy Paterson (Hokitika), 80 pts., 2; Joyce Picken, 77 pts. 3. Also competed: . Fay Don-’

ney (Christchurch), Gay Mullaly, Daphne Goodall. Tap Dance (13 and over):—Monica Sinnott, 82 pts., 1; Maudie Williams, 80 pts., 2; Vonnie Goodall, 77 pts., 3. Also competed: Pat Gallagher, Joyce Inglis, Violet Sutton (Nelson). Skipping Dance (under 13): Joan McMillan, 83 pts., 1; Pamela Leighs (Nelson), 80 points, 2; Estelle Gurdon and Jack Knight, 77 points, equal, 3. Also competed: Betty Glen Shirley Hornsby, Mabel Galway (Reefton), Bernice Roper, Patricia Schultze.

ELOCUTION. (Judge, Mr Alan F. McSkimming, Auckland). Recitation (under 9), not bumor°UJil~ Sanson, 68pts 1; Allan West, 67pts 2; Evelyn Kiely, 66pts 3. H.c.. Chrys Reekie, Jessie McGregor (Blackball), Clarice Parfitt. Tne only competitors. Test Recitation (lady) “The Chambered Nautilus": Miss Vic Richardson, 80pts 1; miss Molly Barrowman, 78pts 2; Miss Gilmore, 76pts 3. The only compel it°The judge said that the competitors failed in building up to the climax of a delightful poem requiring a good deal .of interpretation. Generally speaking, enunciation and articulation were very good. Reading at Sight (lady or gentleman) Shakespearean: ■ Miss Kit Learmont, 78pts 1, Miss Vic Richardson, 77pts 2. The only CO Redtation (girls under 12)—Not humorous: Margaret Webber, 70 pts., 1; Daphne Hamilton, 68 points, Mary Longstaff 3. H.C.: Annette Webber, Thelma Inkster. Also competed: Patricia Caldwell, June Mann. Pauline Gallagher, Marie Hastic (Blackball), Nancy Williams (Runanga), Beth McGregor (Blackball), Robert West. Recitation (girls under 16). lest, “At the Potters”:—Miss Patsy Kiely, 82 pts., 1; Miss Kit Learmont, 80 pts., 2; Miss Dorothy Congreve, 78 pts.-, 3. Also competed: Miss Noreen Gallagher, Miss Pauline Gallagher, Miss Beth McGregor (Blackball). The judge said that the class was a good one, the markings being veryclose. The winner gave a very convincing performance, her enunciation, Q®ticulation, modulation and inflection being excellent. The second prize winner gave a very good interpretation of the lines, but was a little forced at times. The third competitor fell a little short of the first and second competitors, but gave a good performance. Recitation with Music (boy or girl under 12), Own Selection—Recalls: Daphne Hamilton, Patricia Caldwell, Evelyn Kiely. H.C.: Chrys Reekie, Margaret Webber, Jill Sansom. Also competed: June Mann, Annette Webber, Pauline Gallagher Jessie McGregor, Beth McGregor (Blackball), Nancy Williams (Runanga).

Recital in Character with Costume. Dramatic. Lady or Gentleman: —Miss iVic Richardson, "Queen Katherine’s Defence,” 100 pts., 1;' Miss Ada Smeaton, “Betsy Trotwood,” 97 pts., 2. Also competed: Miss Vera Gilmore.’ The costuming and make up was appropriate ’to each character, said the judge. The winner’s costume was particularly good, and she received high marks for it. The deportment was good in the characterisation of Queen Katherine, but there was an inclination to dramatising her lines. She had restraint, which was a good point. The second placed competitor was well costumed, but she was not quite so convincing as Betsy Trotwood, the characterisation requiring a certain depth of feeling which would bring out vividly the scathing comment of Betsy addressing Murdstone.

VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL. (Judge: Mrs. N. Cocks, Christchurch). Song (girls 12 and under), own selection: — Dawn Mullaly, 78pts. 1; Susanne Jones, 77pts. 2; Beverley Paterson and Kath Simmons, 75pts., equal 3. The only competitors. Song (girls 14 and under 16): Test: “Sunflakes”: May Halliday (Runanga) and Zelma Steel, 78pts. equal 1. The only competitors. Song (boys under 12), own selection :— Ron Bierworth, 79pts. 1; Basil Franklyn, 78pts. 2; Gray Hillman, 75pts., 3. Also competed: Harry Morris and Noel Mann.

Song (girls under 16). Test: “Spring is on the Way”: Zelma Steel, 78pts. 1; Colyn Foster (Christchurch) 76pts. 2; Dorothy Lowe, 75pts. 3. The only competitors. Piano Solo (boy and girl under 12): Test “Courante,” in F Major (Handel): —Patricia Connors 76 pts., 1, Brian Mason (Blackball), 75 pts., 2. The only competitors. Violin Solo (boy or girl, 14 and under 16), Own Selection:—Mavis Blake 76 points, 1; Henry Barltrop (Hokitika) and’ Lorna McDougall, 75 points, equal 2. H.C., Guisippe Soster. Also competed: Jean Orr. The judge commented that the winner’s performance was outstanding amongst the younger competitors. Violin Solo (boy or girl under 12), Own Selection: —Mary McCarthy, 79 pts., 1; Noel Mann, 75 pts., 2; Pat Eadie 3rd. Also competed: Pat Robinson, Leslie McDougall, Kathleen Bremner.

N.Z. SINGER’S WIN AT SYDNEY. (Received August 28, 9.40 p.m.) SYDNEY, August 28. At the City of Sydney Eisteddfod, the open contralto championship was won by Miss Jessie M. Whaw, of Hamilton, New Zealand. There were twenty-three competitors.