MOTUEKA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 3 September 1935, Page 7

MOTUEKA

MUSIC AND ELOCUTION COMPETITIONS OPENED (From Our Own Correspondent) The musical competitions, organised by the Motueka Women’s Division of’ the Farmers’ Union, were officially opened on Monday evening at the instuute Hall by Mr K. J. Molyoake, M.P.. who congratulated the members of the local Division on their achievement. The Motueka branch, he said, had done wonderful work and the people owed a deep debt of gratitude to this organisation. As President of the Farmers’ Union be felt more proud that evening of this fact than of being member for the district. Arrangements in connection with the competitions entailed a tremendous amount of arduous work; and lie hoped the public would give them the supportthat the work put into them warranted. Children and adults had also done much preparatory work. Those who did not win prizes would have the joy experienced in actually taking part and thus helping to give pleasure to others. Mr Ilolyoake congratulated Mrs A. I). Taylor (president of tlie Women’s Division) and her committee on the organising of the competitions, and paid a tribute to those who had offered their services as judges—Mrs Moynihan, Miss Wilding, and Lieut. T. Hughes of Nelson. In declaring the competitions open Mr Ilolyoake expressed the hope that they would be entirely a success and that the audiences would be large at each session.

The Mayor (Mr E. J. L. York) referred to the great- success which had attended the musical competitions held last year, and to the interest created in music and elocution ill the district which had resulted. Members of the Women’s Division had entered into the work with great enthusiasm and they deserved the whole-hearted support of all. Not* only was talent developed by the training necessary, but the competitions provided excellent entertainment. On behalf of the Borough Council he offered congratulations and expressed the hope that the competitions would be even more successful than they were last year. MORNING AND AFTERNOON SESSIONS Tlie morning’s programme included sight- reading and pianoforte duets, and in the afternoon pianoforte solos, recitations and plays (secondary school) were judged. Results were:— Sight reading, under 11: Dick Warner 1. Michael Smith 2, Norvaleen Jamieson 3. Sight reading, under 15: Joyce Jamieson 1 Thelma Cain 2, Mary Vickerman 3. Pianoforte duet, under 12, “Boat Song” : Shirley Smith and Molly Ryder 1, June Kissel and Pat Cliing 2. AFTERNOON, SESSION Pianoforte solo, under 12, test piece “Fairy Dance” : Pat Cliing 1. Humorous recitation, boys 11-15: Trevor Thorp 1, Wesley Jaekett 2, Murray Douglas 3. Pianoforte solo, under 12, own selection : Pat Cliing 1. Recitation, test pieces, boys, Standards V, and VI.: Michael Smith 1, Dennis Fry 2, Wesley Jaekett 3. Plays (secondary school), “Admiral Peters” (Lona Relat; Walter Thomas, lan Dobbie) 1. “Domestic Entanglemen” (Joyce Jamieson, Lorna Wilkinson, Murray" Scott, Emma Morgan, Jessie Parker and Rima Brown) 2, “Merry and Bright” (Nancy Manifold, M. Jamieson, Noreen Stilwell, Desmond Drummond, Murray Douglas) 3. EVENING SESSION In the evening a- large and enthusiastic audience filled the Institute Hall and the lengthy programme which continued until 11.30 p.ni., was of a very high standard and thoroughly enjoyed, each performer receiving hearty applause. Results of judging were:— Pianoforte solo, 12 to 16, own selection: Verna Jeffries 1, Fred Manifold and Erica Cook (equal) 2. Pianoforte solo, 16 to 19, own selection : Margery Ivellimr 1, Monica Parker 2.

Vocal quartettes; Mesdames Cameron and Manifold and Messrs Wort and Weller (senr.), “The Lord is Righteous,” 1; Misses Kingsland and Dutton and Messrs Wort and Dutton, “O Peaceful Night,’ 2 Pianoforte duet, 12-16, “Marche Militaire” : Cynthia Drogemuller and Margaret Thomas 1, Verna Jeffries and Jean Calder 2.

Choir, ladies: Women’s Institute No. 1, “Pond Lilies” (conductor Mr J. Wort, accompaniste Miss' B. Boyes) 1; Women’s Institute No. 2, “Blow, South Winds, Blow,” 2. Pianoforte Solo, adults, own selection: Margery Rolling, “Barcarolle,” 1, Mrs Quinney, “Prelude,” 2. Choir, gentlemen: Lyric Choir (10 members with Mr J. Wort conductor and Mrs Wesney accompaniste), “Comrades in Arms.”

Impromptu speeches: Subject “Curiosity”—Mr F. A. Hamilton i, Mr S. B. Canavan 2, Miss V. York 3. Stoiy without Words: “Every Dog has its Day” (Mesdames A. D. Taylor, F. N. Drummond, A. Douglas, T. Kelling, W. Mclntosh), 1. “At the Theatre” (Mesdames L. Inwood, G. M. Smith, T. Kelling, Quinney, Peg. Taylor, and Miss M. Goodman), 2. The programme also included folk dancing by pupils of the Riwaka School (2 groups) and by Miss V. York’s pupils. This was a very attractive item, dainty costumes being worn. Mrs Warner and Miss J. Ryder were the accompanists. A short play, by members ot the Wo. men’s Institute, entitled the “Emperor,” -'n which Mesdames Tweedy, Canavan, Robinson, Anderson, Warner, Webster and Bradley took part, was also an excellent item, and very entertaining. Other plays have yet to be heard. Mrs Wesney was the official accompanist. JUDGES’ COMMENTS M iss Wilding remarking on the pianoforte section, said the solo groups w r ere very interesting. She made special mention of the playing from memory as in the case of Fred Manifold and V. Jeffries, whom she complimented. The duets were bright and pleasing; and in the adult class, the exceedingly fine rendering of the “Barcarolle” by Miss Kelling was commented upon. The vocal quartettes were, Mrs Moynihari stated, both very good and well trained. She had awarded the winning quartette 87 marks, which was exceptionally high, but had been attained by beautiful rendering—good contrast and rich, tones. Mrs Moynihan expressed pleasure at the number of entries in the choir section. The standard here was verv'good; the rendering of “Pond Lilies” by the Women’s Institute choir being a very finished performance, and rhythm well kept throughout. She had enjoyed very much the singing of “Com. rades in Arms” by the male choir. It had been delightful to listen to .and she hoped that the item would be put on the programme of the demonstration concert. She was pleased to find a lady had entered for the impromptu speech.

Mr Hamilton had been placed first; he had an attractive voice and his speech had been humorous. The stories without words had both been very good and very amusing; she congratulated the winners. In the play, which was an excellent performance, each individual cltaracter had been well delineated.