ELOCUTIONARY COMPETITIONS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9590, 6 September 1913, Page 5

ELOCUTIONARY COMPETITIONS.

RECORD ENTRIES. That the elocutionary competitions held under the auspices of the local Technical School are growing in popularity is manifest from the increasing number of entries that are recorded as year succeeds year. In 1911 tlie total entries were 132, last year they increased to 146, while for tho competitions commencing on tho 24th inst. there are no less than 189 entries. This handsome increase is a tribute to the energies displayed by tho director, Mr F. D. Opie, and his untiring endeavours to make the competitions again a success. The competitors this year come from Wellington, Masterton, Pahiatua, Hastings, Feilding, Wanganui, Levin, Tokomaru, Palmerston North, and tho surrounding district.

The entries for tho individual classes are as follows:—Ladies' dramatic recital 19, men's dramatic recital 12, ladies' Shakespearean recital 17, men's Shakespearean recital 8, ladies' musical monologue 10, men's musical monologue 6, ladies' restricted class 11, men's restricted class 9, Shakespearean dialogue 3, ladies' humorous recital 14, men's humorous recital 9, Dickens character sketch 5, humorous character dialogue 5, comedietta 1, reading at sight 9, story without words 3, impromptu speech 11, prepared speech 9, impromptu debate 2. Children's classes: Boys 12 to 15 years 5, boys under 12 years 3, girls 12 to 15 years 7, girls under 12 years 11. Mr Opie lias decided this year to issue season tickets, which will secure for the holder one reserved seat throughout the competitions. The Opera House has been engaged for four consecutive nights, and on the last (Saturday) the judge, Mr De Spong, of Dunedin, will conduct an entertainment with the various prize-winnors.