BAND OF HOPE COMPETITIONS.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1272, 29 December 1903, Page 2

BAND OF HOPE COMPETITIONS.

For the last four years tbs Gore DistnJT Band of Hope Union have organised a reciting and singing contest, open to all members of societies affiliated with the Union. Each year a good deal of inttrest has been manifested in the different events, and there is no doubt but from a literary and musical point of view the gain has been considerable, while the main object of the Union the promotion of the Temperance cause—must have been realized to a more or Ic-s extent. This year the committee set to woik eirly, with the result that the entrie< were h.rger in numb' r than on any previous occasion, and what was a satisfactory feature, well spread over the district. Proceedings commenced at 11 a.m. in the Temperance Hall, when the junior reciters were heard. Mr Forbes, President of the Union, occupied the chair, and was supported by the secretary (Mr W. Boyd) and Messrs Wright, Cunningham, Hnd Mills, who attended to the different details. Divisions 1, 11, and 111 in tho reciting were well contested, especially in the second, in which there were twelve competitors. At t o'clock an adjournment was made for lunch, the competitors being entertained in tho bull by lady friends in the district. A most important desidera un in a singing and reciting contest is in, securing of a good judge. Indeed, it is not too much to say that tho services of , t imily competent man in the matter of adjudication have moie to do with the ultimate mi«... s o[ the venture than anything else. When merit is recognised, young folk of an ambitious disposition will nevor be afraid to come forward. In this matter the Gore I'.iinu were fortunate in obtaining the services of Mr K. G. Macpberson, of Wyudham. as judge of the singing department, and of Mr S.dby (Imcreargili) in the reciting. The decisions of these gentleman gave very general satisfaction. All tho reciting was got over by :j o'clock, and Mr Selby returned homo to Invercargill by the afternoon train. lieforo leaving the hall, however, a very hearty vote of thanks was passed to him for his s ■rvic-s. The singing events were taken immediut- ly after the reciting was finished, Mr E. (l.'.Vlaephorsoii, as stated above, acting us judge. As with the reciting, the junior division-, wire taken lirst, division II having again the large-,t number of entries. Groat improvement is shown this year in the quality of the work of tho competitors. Regarding the performances of the competitors, the ca-ual obsorver could discern gioat variety of treatment. While many of the items were of considerable merit, otliirs again were no quite up to tho standard expected in a contest One reason for tho faulty efforts of some was lack of training, not so much perhaps in respect to the proficiency of the voice as to rate of movement and expression. It was very easy to pick out tho-.e win had received some guidance. It would be well if in future all would-be competitors would seek the aid which no doubt many would bo willing to render, and thus make the annual event educational in the trues: «< rs". Tune, again, as the judge pointed out m respect to the performers of the afternoon, was one of the points on which many failed. It cannot be too strongly urged on all that to be able to sing in correct tune and with true intonation is the primary loqui-dte in singing. Good articulation, phrasing c nnbined even with energy, produce no irteci if there is the slighted departure from correct tune. Many also make an error in this that they seem to regard the s-ng everything and the accompaniment nothing. No greater mistake could be made. A tastefully pluyod accompaniment is al.s; lutcly essenial if a song is to bo well sung, li this connection Mr K. J. Cunningham is *o be complimootod for his services. Aremaik which 101 l from the judge requires to liespcciallyciiipliasised, in view of next year's contest. Mr Maepherson urged the necessity of compe'.itjrs bavin* the songs in the key best sun. d to bring out tho good qualities in til. jr several voices. Any icmarks hero offered are not given in a critical spirit, but so that next year the essential points may be more attended to, and thus a still more successful issue arrived . al. The conduct of the young people all M through iho day wis ah tha'i could be desired, and perfect, gcod humor and f,i..Midlines- JM characterised the whole day's proceedings. <frZ The Chairman conveyed the thanks of the Union to the large nudi.oee which had as- 1 semhled in the evening, and to thoi-e who had been there during the day. The bulk of those, present were, however, country people. It was very hard to carry on temperance work in Gore, owing to the indifference of the people. Mr .Smith hail kindly taken charge of the Junior Band of Hope, hut had after a while to give it up, as the children would i.ot attend, and it looked as if their ronior society was likely to meet the same fate. I'lohibitionists were making a great mistake if they neglected '.be young people in inference to this question. In his opinion the future entirely depended upon the al'.entioii now given to the rising gmieratinti and the ternpeiance instiueti" parted to them. His experience had hee-i that special meeting'! for parents and sympathisers might he called, but almost invnualily there was pracihally no response. The closing meet ng for tho year was held the piovious evening, and after an appeal in both local p.,,jcrs to parents and sympathifcrs with the work to be present, there were uetu.illy oniy nx. adults in th? small gathciing that assembled. He commented upon the different treatment meted out to (he Gore schools on their closing day, and pointed out that the training in the schools was secular while theirs was of a moral nature. They should Kiiio'y expect the active support of the churches "in Gore, but they had not received it. He referred to the fact that not nty of the Gore clergymen had attended at the competitions that day, nor were any of them present at the contest last year, which was extraordinary, and required explanation. It was useless trying to carry on the work under si.cn conditions, and he personally had reluctantly decided lo relinquish it iik fur as Gore was concariied. Votes of thanks wcr* passed to the judges, to, the ladies who had provided the eatables for the children, and to Messrs Wright, Boyd, and Cunningham, who had done so much before and during the contest.

UKCI'IINO CONTKKTS. # Division I, under 1(1 years-Isabella McKay, ltiversdale,2o puinti-, 1; Martha Patterson. Croydon, 22, 1 : Nellie Haggurt, Croydon Siding, 21, 3. Five entries. '^ Division 11, 10 to 13 Ada I'relible, Knapdale, 30 points 1 ; Kllen Willis Gore, 28, 2; Thoa. Mcliii.de, Charl'on, 25, 3; Gussie Pope, Croydon, 21, 4. Twelve entries. Division 111, 13 to 15 Italph Maedonald, M Croydon Shiing, 37 poin's 1 ; Winnie Wright, M Croydon Siding. 30, 2; ltobl. Mcßriae, T Chariton, 30, 3. Six entries. Division JV, Hi to 1!) (test piece, " Bingen •m the Kbine")-Mary Bi'gtr, Cr ydori, 30 points, 1; Gertie Wright, croydou Siding, 35,2; Edith Dunstan, (Jhaiiion, 31, 3. Five entries. Division V, all coiners (test p.-eoe, " The Lifeboat "I- Mr C. K. Ingiam, Gore, 30 puints, 1; Miss V. Cook, Guie, 33, 2. Ttieo entries. MNOINU i-UMtlih. Division I, under 10-Mellie Fiance, Crn». don Siding, 1 ; Hobt. Mcliinlock, Gnie. 2 ; Sophia luinkt, Wiiluka Si ling, .',. Fiv; entries. Division 11, 10 to 13 Kvi L-ithaiu, Waikaka Siding. 1 ; Ho-ie It. ink», Waikaka Siding, 2; (ie nge Keir, Charli.m, 3. Nine entries. Divi ion ill, 13 to Hi Ka!ph Mi.c Donald, Crowlon Si-iinr-. I ; D..rothv It. n.-eit. Charlton. 2 ; Frnnei- Archibald. Duma, 3. Si* entries. Division IV, 10 to l'.l - Kinina Dunn, Otiim.i, 53 poin'-. 1; Annie Mncdoiiald, Croydon Siding. r,:i\ points. 2 ; Kd.tb Dunstan, Chailr<.ii, imp if.:. 3. entries. Divi-i nV. ovef l'.l Mi,-; firalmm, Gore, r>5:V points, 1; Mi-s U. A.ik ... Waikaka Viiiiiv, .")'> points. 2; Mi-.. IJ. L«k«:ruaii and Maud Mii.iGiblun, (ioic, tie, 52* points, 3. Five entri. s. All-comer? Mi=-> T'mma Dunn, CHiim, 1 ; Miss M. Archibald, on. ma, 2; Miss D. Archibald, Otama, 3. T.irce entries. I.i t TV. V'ivi-iion 1, under Hi -Mi ■->■"■ May and'T Annie ISenn.-u, lliver.-d.il.-. 1. One enlrv. Division 2. over Hi -Mii-si-s K. and B. Lakeu.Hh. Gore, 1 ; Misses M. and D. Archibald. Otama, 2. Two entries. IN.INTS tntXTINU I Oil IIANNKB. Snekty. No. uf Competitors. Points won. Croydon Siding '.• 23 Charlton 10 U \V.iikakn Siding 5 9 Croydon B.ish 7 8 . Oiama 4 ''A Knapdale 7 4 M Waikaka Valley • i. 3 1 Bivetsdale 5 4 The presentation bafit, (liven to the society securing the highest ftggngito BOB*