WEST COAST COMPETITIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16665, 25 September 1914, Page 8

WEST COAST COMPETITIONS.

AWARDS AT GREYMOUTH. [From Otm Cobbespondent.] GREYMOUTH, September 24

Tlie West Coast competitions, for which entrants have come from as far afield as Christchurch and Dunedin, opened in Greymouth on Monday, and will extend over this week. The public interest in the contests is exhibited in the Largo attendances at the afternoon and evening sessions. Mr Harold Gregson, of Auckland, is the musical judge, and Mr J. F. Montague, also of Auckland, officiates in the elocutionary division. The bass solo was awarded to Mr J. Cocks, of Christchurch, with 141 points. Mr B-. Harrison, of Greymouth, came second with 138, and Mr W. J. Melville third. Mr Gregson said this had been a very good section indeed, and had brought forth a good crop of baritones. (Laughter). While the winner had not assimilated the bass vocal qualities of the second prize-winner, his performance had been more musicianly and his phrasing better, and ho had imbued the song with the requisite dramatic force. The test recitation for ladies resulted:—Miss L. Adams (Pu'nedm), 120 points, first; Miss P. Smith, 114 points, second; and Miss L. Chapman. 113 points, third. Mr Montague said the piece seemed to have been beyond the powers of the performers, and none of them had succeeded in making the most of it. '. _, T , . The vcoal duet, "Oh, Lovely Night," Resulted:—Miss G. White and Mr R. Harrison, 143 points, first; Miss A. Spence and Mr J. Locks (Christchurch), 139 t In the baritone solo, Xhe Ve\ out Lover," Mr J. Cocks. 142 points came'first; Mr points, second; Mr W. J.- Meiviue, 38 points, third. Mr Gregson said this had been one of the best sections ho had ever listened to, and so far as Sointe were concerned, there was little SJS between the competitors. One of them had phrased better than £ others. Mr Harrison had not had so inuch resonance a|: usual, and his pronunciation was faulty. Mel ville had g von a fine peUoimance, better than in the morning, when he

costume make-up, there were three competitors, and they were placed by the judge .as follows:—Mr J. S. Gandel, "Uriah Heep," 132 points, first; Miss L. Adams, "Dolly Varden," 129 points, second; Mr L. F. Deberry, " Uriah Heep," 94 points, third. Mr Montague said the work in this section had not been at all good, but the winner's representation had been meritorious.

Test recitation, " London Town " (Masefield), resulted in the first place being awarded to Mr J. S. Gandel (Wellington), 134 points. The second prize was awarded to Mr K. S. •Dillon, 121 points, and Mr A. Andrews was third with 119 points. The following contests were decided to-night:— Impromptu Speech (32 entries) —L. Deberry 1, J. Gray 2, A. Andrews .3. Violin Solo—E. Pepper 1, R. Sweet

Prepared Speech—L. Deberry 1, A. Andrews 2, Rasmussen 3. Mezzo-soprano Solo—Mrs Hopkinson 1, Miss Spenco 2, Miss White 3. Shakespearian Recitation (ladies — Miss Chapman 1, Miss Adams 2, Miss Parkinson 3.

Musical Monologue—Mr'K: S. Dillor 1, Mr J. Gandell 2, Mr, P. Smythe 3. Irish Song—Mi- R. Harrison 1, Mi W. Melville 2, Mr J. Evans 3.

Shakespearian Dialogue—Miss Parkinson and Mr K. Dillon 1, Miss Adams and Mr J. Gandell 2.

The St Columba Club is leading for both tho senior and junior championships, but neither competition is yet finished.

Mr Gregson paid Mr Dillon, the winner of the monologue, a very high compliment, saying lie was quite, an artist in this particular work.