COMPETITIONS SOCIAL

Hokitika Guardian, 4 October 1929, Page 1

COMPETITIONS SOCIAL

Despite |tho very unfavourable' weather last night, there was quite a considerable attendance at the Soldiers’ Hall for the winding up social of the Westland Competitions Society, when a pleasant time was passed. Mr D. J. Evans (President) occupied the chair and welcomed the patrons. The following concert programme was given and greatly enjoyed: Recitations, Misses M. McGavin, Joy Ward, J. Veale, Violet Ross, N. Wormington, E. Clarke, Adrian Bush, Isabella Evans, the tiny tots June and Viv Keenan and Masters W. Reynolds, S. Blank, P. McGavin, Paul Sparkes and A. Coles j songs by Misses Connie Staines, J. A. Warren, and Anne Duff; instrumental selections were given by * Miss M. Stop forth (piano), Masters R. J. Fitzgerald (violin) and D. Heinz (violin). All the items were greatly enjoyed. Both Miss Bush and Miss EVans entertained very pleasantly, and Miss Duff had a triple encore. The special item “to bring down the house” was the duo in character, “The Keys of My Heart,” by little June and Viv Heenan, which was given most delightfully. Several humorous • recitations were given during the evening, and altogether the vprogramme crowded into about an hour, was most enjoyable, typifying once again the pleaing amount of latent talent in the town and district. The Chairman then proceeded to present the prizes, first referring to tlie success of the Competitions after four strenuous days. Mr Evans stated the Committee were considering the advisability of securing separate judges next year for the music and elocutionary sections, and also a proposal to hold the Competitions in the May term holidays. There was the suggestion that held later in the year the school work was rather interfered with, and to avoid that an earlier date would be selected most probably. The good work done by the competitors was referred I to and the educational value of the study which competition work involved, was mentioned. Reference was made also to the fine spirit of the competitors and generally to the allround success of the festival. The valuable assistance of Miss Daly, special adcompaniste, was referred to specially. The trophies were presented as follows: Lyttelton Cup for recitation by New Zealand author, Mr J. Stopforth; Seddon Cup (Men’s Shakespearean recital) Mr W. McGrath; 'Evans Rose Bowl (ladies’ Shakespearean recitation) Miss Sparkes; Competition Shield for choir contests, All Saints’ Choir; Newman Cup for School Choir, Convent School; Competition Banner, Juvenile Action Song, State 'School. Upwards of £6O was distributed in cash prizes to the various prize winners, who were all congratulated. In handing Miss Joy Ward her prizes'for seven firsts and two seconds, Mr Evans said he was pleased to learn that Mrs Windsor was anxious that her pupil, Miss Ward, should compete at Christchurch next year, and it was possible arrangements to that end would be made, when he wished the promising young lady every success. Following the presentation of prizes, supper was served by a committee of ladies headed by Miss Duff, Mesdames Fane, Sweney and Stapleton. Thereafter the hall was cleared for dancing, Misses Evans, Daly and Stopforth kindly supplying the music, and dancing went on merrily till almost midnight, the evening winding up very pleasantly to all concerned.