“A HIGH STANDARD”

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11933, 13 September 1924, Page 5

“A HIGH STANDARD”

SUCCESS OF COMPETITIONS JUDGE HAS WARM PRAISE FOR WELLINGTON SOCIETY. SINGERS COMPLIMENTED. At the competitions last night the president of the society, Mr C. M. Bowden, in announcing to .the audience jthat it would be the last time Mr Bennett North, the vocal adjudicator, rwouid make any awards during the present festival, said that they had heard, great reports about Mr North before jhe had visited the Dominion, and he [wished to state that these had been 1 amply justified. He had given complete satisfaction, and they looked forward to his return at some future festival. EXCELLENT' ORGANISATION. Mr Bennett North, in replying, said that the work of judging had been a most enjoyable task. The work had been made much easier by the splendid system of the committee, and ne considered the festival the best organised of all he had attended. He had been given every assistance and consideration. Mr Jenner was an ideal secretary, and Mr MacLachian, as a stage manager, was a wizard. (Applause.) He was always smiling. The ladies’ committee bad also done great work in providing refreshments, which ! were always very acceptable. Last, but [not least, there was Mr Harold Whititie, the accompanist. His artistic accompaniments greatly added to the enijoymcnt of the festival, and he did not 'think the competitors really knew tho valuo of Mr Whittle’s work. To use a popular phrase, “If you can’: sing with Mr Whittle accompanying you, you 'can’t sing for pussy.” | GOOD MATERIAL. Speaking on the standard of the work, he said that in the junior section it was much better tan at apy other festival he had been to. The senior classes, however, needed strengthening a little more. The material was there, and he urged competitors to come forward not for the sake of the prize, but for the sake of art. They should always be ready to learn, and should start immediately to study for next year’s event. Mr North praised the work in the scholarship sections, and complimented the singers or. their choice of songs. In conclusion, he wished all every success, and his adyice to the nonprize winners was, “Never say die.” He hoped to have the pleasure of coming back at some future date, but Stated that he would be a little more exacting if he judged in Wellington again. “I am hard to please,’’ he said.