PRIZE STORIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21990, 22 December 1934, Page 4 (Supplement)

PRIZE STORIES

Results of Competition TOTAL OF 425 ENTRIES RECEIVED The widespread popularity of the Herald Christmas Story Competition is evidenced in the fact that 425 entries were received from all parts of the Dominion. Last year the number was 275. The awards are as follow: First Prize, £6. —" Revealing Light," by John Guthrie (John Brodie), Belt Road, New Plymouth. Second Prize, £4. —" The Men of Peace, by Helen Brookfield, 22 Benbow Street, St. Heliers, Auckland Third Prize, £3.—" They Also Serve, by Joyce West, Gate Pa, Tauranga. Other stories of merit retained for publication as opportunity offers are: J. T. Moroney s Easy Money," Dorothy Joy Wilson's " The Backyard World," Linda Osborne's " Slum Episode, Jane Rolfe's " The Homecoming " Gurney s " Long Gone." Report by the Judge In a report on the work submitted the judge makes the following remarks, which may prove helpful to competitors : A noticeable feature was the improved presentation of the entries; the majority were neatly typed; attention was given to the ordinary formalities of address, etc. This, together with a good average of careful literary method, suggests that increased study is being given to the art of ingThe general defect was a certain commonplaceness in the subject matter; a few stories had real plot; in many, the incident, while well handled, was not such as to interest the reader. There were many instances of promising, few of outstanding talent; a correctness prevailed, without any marked tendency to literary style. Many writers dealt with the agricultural depression ; and in this connection it may be as well to note that while individuals are much concerned with this phase of life, the reader is glad to escape from it, unless some new or striking facet is presented. Nor do matrimonial quarrels due to insufficient income prove attractive. Some work, which dealt with criminology, showed a tendency to condonation. Most authors chose a New Zealand setting, though such far lands as Africa, India, Palestine, China, Spain, France, Poland, Norway, Russia, and Switzerland were included. As some comment has been made on the subject of local colour, it may be helpful to suggest that every writer should use the land that he knows best. It is not necessary to drag in local nomenclature and scenery, so that the reader expei'iences boredom. But there are aspects of New Zealand life, that can be made interesting without overstressing these points; and an appealing story may be written of any country, provided that the author uses true literary method, and has the ability to select good subject matter. In the stories awarded prizes consideration has been given to these points. The first may be taken as written of New Zealand, though, equally well, it may appty to any country; it is a carefully drawn study. The second, " The Men of Peace," in delightfully flowing style, is peculiarly of an older land; while the third, "They Also Serve," has a typical New Zealand atmosphere. Each evinces earnest treatment, with delicate suggestion of plot.; and each has that well-rounded completeness which makes for a good story.