AT THE EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIX, Issue 3011, 24 December 1896, Page 2

AT THE EXHIBITION.

THE MUSICAL CONTESTS,

Yesterday the competitions for tenor and contralto singers and pianists took place, and caused even greater interest than was suown in the elocutionary contests. Mr Maurice C. Nevanas was the judge. In the fconor solo class, taken in the afternoon, there were six competitors, and the result was ns follows G. C. Hickson (Wellington) ... 1 James Soarlo (Gisborne) ... ... 2 The judge states that the general quality ol the voices was not good. However, lor the first two places there was keen competition, Mr Gr. Queree running Mr Seavlo closely lor second place. Mr Hickson, the first-prize winner, who sang Forsaken,’ has a sweet voice, which with systematic training should be heard to marked advantage. The contralto solo competition m the evening was very interesting, though there were only five competitors, for, with one exception, all were good singers. The judge announced the result to be :

Mrs Burfoob (Wellington)... 1 Miss May Driscoll (Wellington)... 2 Mrs Burfoot sang “ When the Tide Comes In,” and Miss Driscoll’s song was “ The Worker.” Miss T. M. Simpler, for “The Last Muster,” received honourable mention, The piano solo competition resulted : Miss C. L. Ritchey (Wellington) 1 Miss J. D. Roes 2

Mr Nevanas stated that the competition had been very close, and he encouraged those who had not won prizes to persevere. This afternoon the bass solo class will be taken, and the soprano and violin solos will follow in the evening. THE BAND CONTEST NEXT WEEK. Arrangements are complete for the intercolonial brass band and solo contests next week. The judge will bo Mr Antony Grieve, and the military judges Lieutenant-Colonel Newall, Major Collins, Captain Paterson. Mr John Jack will bo supervisor. The following bands hare" entered; Newtown Band (Sydney), champion of Australia; Parramatta Model Band, Wellington Garrison, Napier Garrison, Nelson Garrison, Stanmore Bras*, Canterbury Engineers, Woodvillo Brans, Marion Royal. Each of the bands will play a selection of its own choice on the first night (30th inat), the prizes to bo : —First, £IOO ; second, £SO; third £25; fourth, .£lO. On New Year’s night the test selection, ” Lucia di Laramermoor,” will bo played, amt on the following afternoon there will bo a grand marching and military drill competition, Solo contests for E fiat horns, E fiat sopranos, B flab bassos, B fiat cornets, B fiat baritones, E flat bassos, euphoniums, slide trombones also appear on the programme. The Dresden Piano Company will present a gold modal to the conductor of the band scoring most points in iho band’s own-ohoico selection, and a gold medal will also bo given by Mr Kohn to tbo conductor of the band scoring the highest number of points in the test selection.

The cinematograph© did capital business yesterday. It is to bo exhibited to-day, and during the holidays. Yesterday uftoruoon another excellent c&listhouio display was given by the public school girls under tho direction of Mens do Mey, and to music rendered by King’s orchestra. Tho Swedish drill again came in for hearty applause, and Monsieur for warm congratulations upon the careful training he had given the children. Further exorcising will bo gone through this evening under the electric light. Mr Hotop’s orchestra located itself in the space of the Canterbury Industrial Society yesterday, and discoursed sweet music throughout tho afternoon. Many Wollingtoniaua will remember the tug-of-warfare which swayed this city some five years ago, and how the Skating Kink was crowded nightly to witness tho national struggles for tho supremacy. Even tho stoical Chinese entered a team. Why should not tho success of five years ago bo repeated at tho Exhibition ? Tho executive has decided to venture upon a trial, and we arc sure it will play a trump card in bringing off such a programme. As readers will not have their New Zealand Times to provide each day’s programme for them 1111111 next Monday, it will bo well for them to pin this paragraph in their iospectivo hats and bonnets. To-morrow the Exhibition will bo closed. For Saturday tv special and grand list of good things has been prepared. Under the electric light amateur and cash cycling events will bo run off, interspersed with burlesque acta and trick slack wire walking and tumbling extraordinary—and tho cyclists undertake to provide against any ordinary tumbling. _ That is the open-air arrangements. Then in the concert hall the prize-winners -at the elocutionary and musical competitions which have been hold throughout this week will provide a capital programme by giviug the items which won for each tho championship of their respective classes. As there has been marked talent shown during tho contests, the entertainment on Saturday night should draw well.

'this afternoon the competitors for bass solo singing will bo judged in tho concert hail, whilst tho sopranos and the violinists pass under the eye and ear of Mr Maurice Nevanas (who is judging all tho musical items) in the evening. Visitors during tho holiday season will find instructive and amusing entertainment at various stalls. Mr Elston is an able phrenologist, tho Gipsy Queen reads the palm, tho graphophone gives out sweet sounds ; tho kinetopkoßG, with picture and music, and tho kinetoscopo arc little wonders; tho shockingly electric printograph and tho microscope arc attractions; also, tho Art Gallery should bo “ done.” Then there are knitters and handkerchief workers and lollio makers and butter makers, the Empress needle and needlewomen, and engraver—and before you go you must see the ciuematographe and its wonderful pictures, and make your friends happy by treating them at Shout’s.