Smaller Audience Hears Good Quest Programme

Northern Advocate, 26 May 1949, Page 9

Smaller Audience Hears Good Quest Programme

IF Miss Miriam Davenport, of Maungatapere, had been the only competitor in the vocal section of the talent quest at the Whangarei Town Hall last night no one would have felt deprived of his money’s worth. .'

Miss Davenport sang "Annie laurie" and kept the audience completely captivated right to the end.

the assistance of his right-hand man, Mr Fred Macdermott, kept up the pace with a little, clowning.

As she left the stage, a genuine burst of applause followed her. It kept up and feet were beginning to stamp when the compere, Mr N. Harrison, announced that encores were not possible. However, to pacify the audience he promised to persuade Miss Davenport to sing again later, which she did.

The children had a chance to join in the fun, and many took advantage of it and mounted the stage. Everyone had a good time, not the least the audience.

Unfortunately the audience last night was considerably smaller than at the last quest. The fault was not in the competitors, whose numbers were greater and items more vaiied. TWELVE COMPETED

Twelve competitors took part. First to break the ice was six-year-old Pam McDonald, who completely disarmed her audience with a sailor's hornpipe.

Miss Heather McCulloch, with a piano solo, "The Cornish Rhapsody,” and Master J. Spicer, who sang “A Tree in the Meadow,” followed. Two more songs, "I Can't Begin to Tell You,” by Mr W. McLean, and “For You Alone,” by Mr G. Smith, were next on the programme, after which Marion Morrison presented a lapglance. Mr Jack Carter entertained with h„. juggling and dead-pan comedy, after which Mr R. Pitman, accompanying himself on his ukelele, sang and yodelled of old Alabama. Also in the senior variety section was Miss V. Moss, who presented a short sketch. NEWCOMERS

One of the newcomers to last night's quest, but well known in other circles; was Mr Bill Print and his banjo. Mr Print, accompanied by Mrs Print (nee Miss Scylla Calkin) on the piano, delighted his listeners with a medley of old-time American songs.

Mr A. Maddox also entertained with selections on his accordeon.

Voting by the public resulted in the following being judged winners of their various sections: — Junior. Vocal. Miriam Davenport; instrumental, Heather McCullough; variety, Pam McDonald Senior,— Vocal. W. McLean, instrumental, W. Print, variety, M. Pitman. Guest artists included Miss Colleen Child, who sang the song with which Italian boatmen entertained Princess Margaret—“ Come Back to Sorrento.” GUEST ARTISTS Miss Child also presented "On, My Beloved Daddy.” “The Floral Dance” was sung by Mr N. Procter, who was recalled for afi encore. Miss A. Adern, Miss Davenport and Mr McLean also sang as guest artists. Competitors for the senior quiz were Mr Des Harrison and Miss Gladys Brown.. *

They were asked how many English football teams had visited Whangarei, and when, who was the editor of ‘Rugbyite,’ and what incident in the Maungakaramea-NAF hockey match was reported in the Northern Advocate?

Correct answer to that one was reported under the heading—“NAF Outwitted as Miss Litt Knits."

The jackpot question waß: In what years did the North Auckland Rugby team beat Auckland in three successive games? JACKPOT STILL UNTAPPED

The answer, in 1930-31-32, could not be Supplied, and the jackpot question is now worth £2/1/-.

During the items Mr Harrison, with