THE COMPETITIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16550, 14 May 1914, Page 7

THE COMPETITIONS.

FIFTH ANNUAL FESTIVAL

TWELFTH DAY. The Competitions entered upon its final stage last evening, when, in the Theatre Royal, the Christchurch Literary and Musical Society produced one of its most ambitious undertakings. In previous years, a choir contest had been held, but this year the Society launched out in another direction and decided to apportion an evening to scenes from grand opera. Last night three scenes were produced with all the dresses and scenic effects of the opera from which they were taken, but, of course, without vhe orchestra. Tile first scene was taken from the

" Pagoda of Flowers," in which Air C. h. Tidy appeared as " Uomala," and Miss M. Davenport as " Ma Noo." The second item was a scene in Act 11. of "Madame Butterfly," which was by Miss Olive Thorpe, in the character of the heroine, and Miss Maud Stringer as "Suzuki.'-' The third interpretation was that of the .prison scene in Act IV. of " 11 Trovatore," Miss Croxton appearing in the part of "Assucena," Mr Heatley in that of " Manrico," and Miss Davenport in that of " Leonora."

The decision of the judges will be announced to-morrow night. Tho other.items were:— IMPROMPTU DEBATE.

The subject fof tho Impromptu Debate was "That the moucrn business girl does not make a good wife." The contest was started by Messrs Andrews and H. Y. Smith. Mr Andrews, in the affirmative, said that young women who took up commercial pursuits acquired the charac-

teristics of men. Mr Smith, in reply, said that his. opponent had failed to give due weight to the fact that in .ill women there existed an inherent love 'of home. Girls did not go into business because they preferred it, but because they were forced to do so in order to earn a living. The next couple were Messrs Spratt (affirmative) and Lawry (negative).' Mr Spratt said that business life did not tend to improve the temper, and a good temper was a prime essential in a. wife. In reply, Mr Lawry argued that business girls got well grounded in economics, and learned the value of money, all of which tended to make a woman a good wife.

Messrs L. R. Wilson and E. J. Ecroyd were the next competitors. For the affirmative, Mr AVilson said that business girls were deficient in their knowledge of domestic affairs. Mr E. J. Ecroyd. replying said that a girl to succeed in business must possess some outstanding qualities and it was absolutely necessary that all girls should have some business training. The judgo (Mr A. S. Taylor) announced the following results:— Messrs Andrew and Smith . , 1 Messrs Spratt and Lawry . . 2 Messrs Wilson and Ecroyd . . 3 LITERARY EVENTS. The awards of the judge (Mr W. Brook, M.A.) in the literary events were announced as follow: ORIGINAL POEM. Mr S. G. August (Invercargill), '"Dav.n " . . . .1 Mr Hy. Edmonton (Hillgrove), " Tho Passing of the Fisherman " . . . . .2 Mr Rob-Roy Macgregor (Invercargill), "Contentment" . . 3 ORIGINAL STORY. Mrs Elizabeth Grant (Christchurch), " Peggy" , . .1 Mr E. Lyons (Christchurch), " A Musical Evening" . .2 Miss Edith Hodgkinson (Invercargill), " The Greater Heroism " 3 Mr G. von Tunzelmann (Invercargill), " Outwitted" . . .4

The judge said that in both competitions he was pleased to find a considerable advance in the literary stylo of the writers.

TO-NTGHT'S PROGRAMME.

The first demonstration concert will be given in the Theatre Royal' to-night, when tho successful competitors of the sections will appear*