EASTER COMPETITIONS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 102, 11 April 1933, Page 5

EASTER COMPETITIONS

FESTIVAL ARRANGEMENTS NAPIER SOCIETY MEETS The annual meeting of the Napier Competitions Society was held last evening, being presided over by Mr W. Harvey in the unavoidable absence of the president, Mr R. C. Wright. The annual report and balance sheet were read and adopted. The latter showed that the Easter competitions held last year had resulted in a loss to the society amounting to £6l 18s fid. Receipts totalled £33fi Is lid and expenditure £398 0s sd. The annual report, read as follows:— “Your committee have pleasure in presenting the annual report in connection with the season 1932. Owing to the destruction of the Municipal Theatre and the fact that no building in the business area was available, it was necessary to hold the 1932 festival in the Drill Hall, Coote road. This place is not convenient to town and the attendances, especially during the day, suffered considerably. The result was a loss on the year’s festival of £6l 18s fid. Had it not been for the fact that the judges came for their bare expenses the loss would have been much greater. Tais year the Foresters’ Hail has been engaged for the festival and both floors will be used each morning in addition to the Trinity School-room. In the afternoon and evening, however, the Foresters' Hall ground floor only will be used. The entries this year are almost a record, nearly 1100 altogether. In consequence of the loss last year the prize money has been reduced by about 25 per cent, and it is to be hoped that this year’s festival will at least pay expenses Thanks are due to many of the local teachers for their loyal support and several pianists for their assistance to local competitors. “Your committee regrets to record the passing of Madame Emily Briggs, formerly of Wanganui, who year after year brought large numbers of talented pupils to the competitions, also Mrs Robert Bell, a member for many years past and a keen supporter of the society. ’ ’ EASTER ARRANGEMENTS. The meeting then discussed arrangements in connection with the forthcoming Easter Competitions, which are to be held in the Foresters’ Hall, Dickens street, commencing on the evening of Thursday week. The secretary, Mr S. P. Spiller, reported that Miss Hazel Lee had donated a gold medal to be awarded to the competitor gaining the greatest number of points in operatic, character, classic and skipping dancing under 14 years of age, while Mr B. A. Sanders bad donated a special prize of 10/6 for the best character song by girls under 10. It was decided that both these donors be heartily thanked for their generosity. The following prices for admission to the competitions were fixed:— Day sessions, all seats 1/- for adults, with half price for children; evening sessions, 2/- and 1/-, with half prices for children. The election of officers results as follows:— Patron, Mr T. Parker; vicepatrons, Messrs W. E. Barnard, M.P., J. B. Andrew, and John Mason; president, Mr R. C. Wright; vice-president, Mr W. Harvey; executive committee, Messrs AV. Ireland, H. L. Harston, J. D. Briasco, AV. Peel, A. W. Pacey, F. H. Lockyer, C. H. Wilkie and H. C. Thompson; hon. solicitor, Mr C. H. Bisson; hon. treasurer, Mr L. T. Bisson. Altogether 289 competitors have signified their intention of taking part in the competitions. Mr Spiller pointed out that most of the visiting competitors would bring friends, with the result that there would probably be nearly 200 visitors staying in Napier during the season of the competitions. The total number of entries received was 1094, while competitors would participate from the following centres: Wellington six, Hawera two, Wanganui one, Taranaki one, Hastings 67, Takapau two. Gisborne 28, Puketitiri one, Napier 160, Tauranga one, Daunevirke one, AVairoa two, Waipukurau, Waipawn and Norsewood 13, Palmerston North one ard Clive two.