POETRY IN NEW ZEALAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15810, 28 December 1911, Page 2

POETRY IN NEW ZEALAND.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —At the recent Wellington competitions prizes were given ior stories, essays and poetry. In no case has any morsel of these compositions been allowed to lefik out;’'Surely it is natural to ask why? The leading Wellington daily will not allow me to allude to the matter in its columns, and one can only conclude, however reluctantly, that the compositions were in some way absurd, and would, if published, have led outsiders to imagine that the musical items were in reality equally feeble. : The prize for poetry, value three guineas, was won by a girl of twelve. Her poem was read aloud before reporters, yet not a single line was reported. Lovers of poetry must have heard the winner’s age with the greatest interest. She won a valuable prize, open practically to the world, against over forty competitors, and had the verses been published and contained the spark of talent, I am sure that all adults, including even those who failed to win a prize, would have generously welcomed the rising star. As matters stand, and as long as no explanation is offered, I fear that unsuccessful competitors will consider the decision a haphazard one. while the general public will say that no prizes ought to have been awarded. I %m, etc.,. W. F. HOW LETT. Tane, Eketahuna, November 29.