THE PLUNKET MEDAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13831, 19 February 1907, Page 2

THE PLUNKET MEDAL.

AN UNFORTUNATE OVERSIGHT. Tho recent examinations for tho PlunkoJ medal under the auspices of Trinity Collego of Music, London, have given rise to some dissatisfaction, primarily, it ij alleged, on account of notice not havinglieen given to some of the convents of the conditions governing tho competition. Tho matter (says the Wellington Post) was taken up soma tipio ago by Mr A, F. Lovestanv, whose daughtor, a Btudent at St. Dominio's Priory, Dunedin, together with another candidate, gained the highest percentage of ma.rlvs at tho examination. Miss Levestam was preparod for the examination, and duly sat for the trial at tho college on the understanding o£ her teachers that her work would como under rovjow in connection with tho Plunkct metlal award. Miss Leyestam, as lnentionod, was equal with another for tho highest place, having secured 91 per ,ent. of moi'ks. Mr Levestom informs us that, owing to on oversight on the parti of someone conneolod with tho committee controlling tho examination, tho rules governing tho Plunket medal worn nod forwarded to tho collogo principals. Thereforo Miss Lovestani's work was not considered by the examiners in connection with, the award, as tho candidates had to sit at iho local centre. Naturally the teachoi'S and relatives feel disappointed at tho unfortunate position, and have- endeavoured 10. havo steps taken to mako it known that Miss Lovcstain was not eligible to compote for tho modal owing to tho conditions not having lieeu forwarded to the convent. Mr Lnvostam bus linen informed that but for tho mistake as to conditions, his daughter, being the youngest candidate in the colony to gain the highest peroentago of marks, would haVo had a: very good clianw of fining- tho medal. During tho courso of his recent negotiations with the chief secretary for New Zealand of tho Trinity Collego of Musio, to discover if his daughter's position could, not ho publicly explained at the presentation of the modal to tho winner, Mr Lqrestam received tho following letter from Mr A. J. Wicks: — " I have much pleasure in informing you that your daughtor, Erma F. Loves--tarn, who passed the senior pianoforte examination in the St. Dominio's Prioryi Dunedin, gaining , 91 per cent, of marks, is the youngest candidate in New Zealand to so distinguish herself. Sho has' tied with another candidate, who is a good deal older, for highest marks in the' colony, but, unfortunately, was not eligible to compete for tho Plunkct medal owing to her not having been examined in a pubjio local centre. She is without doubta highly-gifted young lady, and from thoreport of the- examiner has splendid prospects of making n fino musician." After some further coTresnondonco. however, tho committeo of Trinity College decided that, having boon advised that tho conditions of the medal competition had been advertised in Dunedin, no further action could bo taken. Mr Lovcetam wrote 6om,e time ago asking for tho d.ito on which the advcrtisem,ont appeared, but up to (la|o lias received no reply. It is understood that tlia matter is to be takca before higher authorities by Mr Lovcstan*-