JUNIOR CRITIC CONTEST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21278, 3 September 1932, Page 4 (Supplement)

JUNIOR CRITIC CONTEST

AN INTERESTING COMPETITION The above contest, which was for members 16 to 19 years, was one of the most interesting w r e have had for some time past. Competitors were invited to pass criticism on several poems written by other members, and to select the most interesting prose article in the page on the day the contest was announced. The entries, although not numerous, showed that our senior members are really eager to avail themselves of the opportunity our page offers for exercise of any literary talent they may possess. The entries submitted by Betty Rollett and Patrici.i Gillespie were equally good, so an extra 20-mark card has., been awarded, also several 10 mark cards for other entries First Prize (Twenty-Mark Cards): PATRICIA GILLESPIE, Vicarage, Morrinsville. ,

BETTY P.OLLETT, Titirangi. Ten-Mark Cards: Gwen Evans, 28 George Street, Dominion Road; Lucy Fyers, M.8.G., Rangiriri, Waikato; Nelke Garrett. Upper Papamoa, Tauranga; Mary Hitching, 10 Ilimu Road, KclbOrn. Wellington. Commended: Eileen Gallagher, Gertie Moffatt, Dorothy Bfamley, Gwen Evans, Eunice Paul, Margaret Harvey. The entries were all interesting; some of them showed a good appreciation of literary values, some found much to praise and little to blame, displaying an undeveloped critical faculty. An interesting point in connection -with the contest is that the article on " The Magic of Water " was, with few exceptions, voted the best prose item in the paee. Placed in order of popularity according to our voung critics' votes, the poems stand as follows : 1. "Jack Frost"; 2. "Clouds"; 3. " Sleeping Buds " ; 4. " Castles in Spain "; 5. " The Birds." No. I By PATRICIA GILLESFIE. The Vicarage. Morrinsville. (Aged 18.) 1. " Jack Frost,'' by Ruth Park.—l think this is the best poem, though it has a few irregularities of metre. In each verse the second line has a different metre, which breaks the rhythm. The break after " grown-ups " m the second line of the first verse spoils the line, but the words seem to suggest the silence of a frosty night, especially the last line of the first verse. 2. "The Sleeping Buds," Fy Pamela Sellar. —This is very good for so young a writer, though there is no new idea expressed. The rhythm flows easily and th'e words are simple, and suitable to the subject. 3. " Clouds," by Pearl Herbert.—Quite good verse, with regular and easy metre. The fourth line in the first verse with its long syllables seems to suggest slowmoving rain-clouds. The last two lines of the same verse seem a bit strained, as if to fill up the verse. 4. " Thß Birds," by Philippa Makgill.— Rather irregular metre. Irregularities of metre, of course, may be used to good effect, but 1 do not think they add anything to the beauty or effect of this poem. It is perhaps safer for inexperienced writers to keep to a simple and regular j style. Otherwise the poem is quite a pretty one. •

5. " Castles in Spain," by Hilarie Rishworth. —It seems in places that the rhyme is dictating the sense, as in the second line. " Castles the colour of some fairy's hair." which contains rather a strange simile. " Arrive " is not a very suitable verb for " sorrows." The ideas change too suddenly. It suggests that youth is the only happy time. T think th« most interesting prose item is " The Magic of Water." I enjoyed reading about the ingenious little waterwheels. and also the piece about hydranl'cs, which the author seemed to fear might bo " dry." These articles are forming a very interesting feature of our page. No. 2 By BETTY ROLLETT, Titirangi. (Aged 16.) 1. " The Birds."—This poem seems to me the best because it- is the most spontaneous. The metre is rather irregular, but causes one to think in the end that the writer put down what she really thought, justf as she thought it. The last two lines, And oh! that I could put into words The grace and freedom of the birds. really do' give tis a fleeting glimpse of the vision which she saw. 2. " Clouds."—This has also something very fresh about it, particularly the second verse. There is not much feeling in it, as in Philippa's, but the description of the " witches dressed in fluttering capes." and "castles, stony-towered and grey" is complete and effective. 3. " Jack Frost." —In this poem the i sound and rhythm of the lines is superior { to the subject matter, which is qirte usual. The wording shows considerable skill, and the second verse is especially good, showing that the writer has an ear for the sound of words and uses them thoughtfully. 4. " The Sleeping —This j s n natural little poe.u hv a very young poet. Its charm lies in the absence of artificiality. The idea is i.ot- particularly orginal, which could hardly be expected in a writer so voung, but it is completely expressed in a few words. The whole poem shows considerable promise. 5. " Castles in Spain."—This poem repeats a thought which we have already heard too often. Too many of the lines seem to have been introduced purely for the sake of the rhyme, although of course this is a common fault which requires much practice to overcome. The metro is smooth and theio are one or two effective lines, such as Castles of dreams will collapse in a day. and Those who advised will forever he dumb. I think the article by A.M.I.M.E. on " The Magic of Water," is the most interesting prose item because most of us. take an interest, in " things that go round," and there is always a. fascination in playing with water even if one is not as successful as the writer was. Also A.M.I.M.E. explains things clearly and yet chattily, so that one becomes genuinely interested in his boyish inventions.