COMPETITIONS CLOSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19469, 27 October 1926, Page 16

COMPETITIONS CLOSE.

SUCCESSFUL SEASON ENDS. DEFICIT REDUCED BY £7OO. THE FINAL DEMONSTRATION. The concert demonstration in tho Town Hall last evening brought tho second annual festival of the Auckland Competitions Society to a successful conclusion. The audience was large and appreciative, applauding the artists generously. •In an announcement from the platform the honorary solicitor, Mr. J. H. Reyburn, said that as a result of the ten days' competitions the deficit of £BOO inctirred last year had been reduced to £IOO, a result that should give encrmrsgemant to all who had given their honorary services in the interest? of musical and literary culture in Auckland. There was every probability that next year ♦he competitions would show a substantial credit. (Applause.) The programme, which was contributed by tho winners of 25 classes, was of a varied and pleasing character, an unusual degree of animation being lent by the inclusion of numerous dances arid ballets. The item most welcomed was an elocutionary recital by Mr. Culford Bell, of Wellington, judge in elocution and dramatic art. His declamation of the famous lines from "Henry V.," "Opce more into the breach, dear friends," was deeply impassioned and provoked loud It was followed by a recital of "The Vow," by Sir Gilbert Parker, a dramatic passage* with a profound devotional tone, and, to complete a diversified performance, t'ner« followed a little piece of nonsense about three trees, a pool of water, a roaring lion and a bounding antelope. Aq amusing musical accompaniment was played by Mr. C. H. Worsley. Remarks on Own Work. Mr. Culford Bell was tho perpetrator of a subtle joke at the conclusion of his item. He obtained the services of Mr. Reyburn in reading a copy of tho judge'u remarks on his own work. It read, m part: "This performer is the only one entered in his class, and unfortunately, I T as a judge who has already been judged, cannot speak in the highest terms of his performance. Ho appears to have '"C3ti . fairly well taught, but lacks that great gift of mentality so often searched for by judges. His mechanical interpretation seems to he an exact copy of what has been drilled into him by whoever had charge of his instruction. This competitor, for one so young and afflicted with stage fright, shows quite fair promise. I regret that with only 47 marks I ca:a award him nothing better than a third place." Winners in the Concert Programme. Among the other items in an enjoyable programme was Miiss Laura Walker's singing of the original musical composition by Mr. Herbert Saunders, who was subsequentlyled to the footlights to return the acknowledgments of the audience. Miss Ei&ne Murdock's recitation of the original prisewinning poem, "Lynette," by Miss Isabel Maud Peacocke, was also greatly appreciated. Miss Ina Thomson sang the English ballad, " 'Tis the Hour of Farewell," with excellent effect,.. while Mi?s i ,McGriier's difficult operatic solo;'"Ah" 3fotrs e Lui," and Master David Lunny's song, "Just a Cottage Small," were the remaining vocal contributions. Mr. Eric Bell earned merited applause for his piano solo, "Romance in D Flat" (Sibelius), Miss Audrey Perry recited "The Portrait" with pleasing effect, and Miss Dor«n SaunderJ, as little Prince Arthur in the tower, gave a very pathetic rendering of the Shakespearean lines. Miss Catherine Whitburn's story without words, little Miss Tess Carte-Lloyd's humorous recital, and Master Maurice Stitt's recitation were greatly appreciated, . The dance numbers included a prettilydressed duo by Misses Jessie Sirrton and Qlga Elsmore, with a huge hat-box as one of the properties, little Miss Elva Parr performed a graceful operatic dance, and another quaint and pretty dsnce calljed "Training" was given by Misses Jean Thomson and Wilma Lockwood. Miss Gwenth McNaughtoh, winner of the ojien Irish jig championship, wscs another popular performer. Tho Services of the Committee. In announcing that the prizes would be ready at the secretary's office within the next- week or two, Mr. Reyburn said he desired to remove an impression that the organisers of the festival constituted a working syndicate for private gain. Such an impression was to be deplored, because the baud of faithful workers comprising the committee had all along given their services gratis. Two of the dance classes were judged finally during the course of the evening. The results are as follow; OPERATIC DANCE. (Opsn.) Miss Mabel Andrews and Miss !$«,- belle Brock (tic), 71 points .. t Miss Eileen Olsen, 69 points . . .. 2 Miss Dorothy McPhail, 68 points . . 3 There were six competitors, and the standard of dancing, said the judge, Mr. J. Knowsley. of Wellington, was of a high standard. CLASSIC OR EASTERN DANCE, (Open.) Miss Mabel Andrews, 73 points . . 1 Miss D. Maxwell, 70 points . . . „ 2 Olive Ferri, 69 points . . . . 3 The work of the four competitors, said the judge, was of a very high order. Miss Andrews, particularly, benefited from good headwork.