DUNEDIN COMPETITIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14927, 1 September 1910, Page 5

DUNEDIN COMPETITIONS

SECOND DAY. . With tho continued patronage of large and interested audiences the Dunedin Competitions Avor« i resumed yesterday. In tho ™°™ng tho items given in tho Victoria Hall were tho oration- (Newman Hall's „of Labour") and the recitation { ino islos of Greeoc," by Byroh) for ladies and gentlemen. The recalled competitors in tho last-named item were heard . '"® evening, but tho former piece was Imislied right off. In tho jnusical section the pianoforte solos for under and over lo ana the pianoforto duet for those between 14_and 18 were heard, and recalls announced. The mezzo-soprano solo, and the baritone solo constituted the attractions for the afternoon in the musical line: while 1 the decided draw for elocutionists tno champion recitation (open to all)— fno lomb of Napoleon.' The number of entrants for this piece was 54, and cmbraoed some good talent. Some of tho performances. naturally fell below ohampionehip standard, but on tho whole the quality may be described as good. lhc attendance at all the sessions wero very good, and tho totals yielded double that of last year s corresponding day. Tho ohairmen for tho day were Messrs J. W. Smith and H. F. Moss. Mr Smith also offioiated in, the evening. The following aro tho results:— . ESSAY (amateurs), "Is tho British Nation Decadent?"— First £2 2s, second £l Is. {

W. Pylo (Dunedin) i 0. C. Mazengarb (Dunedin) ... 2 W. Wright (Dunedin) ...... 3 The judge of this event was Mr Mark Oohen. Tho other competitors wens D. Hebenton (Masterton), E. Kerr (Caver6ham), Miss F. J. Byrne (Anderson's Bay), Francis"-Farr (Mcsgiel), R. J. Etheridgo (Dunedin),"and "Frank Simon (Knox College). SCRIPTURE ESSAY (amateurs' urider 21); " The' Poetical 'Books of tho Old Testament."—First £2 2s, second £1 Is. Miss F. J. Byrne (Andorson's Bay) ... 1 Mi 63 M. C. Gallan (Roslyn) 2 Miss Dorothy Horton (Dunedin) 3 Other competitors were Miss B. M. Govan (Otautau) and Frank Simon (Knox College). The Rev. R. E. Davits judged those c6saye. ORIGINAL POEM (anmteursJ.-First £2 ■ 2s, second £1 Is. S. G. August (Invercargill) ... 1 Miss Angela Hastings (Dunedin) 2 Miss Jessie Robsoa (Christehuvch) ... 3 Other competitors wore Miss E. M. Purdie (St. Cla-ir), J. P. Lindsay (SoacliU), Francis Farr (Mosgiel), Miss Alice Woodhouso, 11. 11. Driver (Littlebourno), Robert Fnrr (Mosgiel), Miss E. Wilson (Gore), Miss M. G. Loask (Gore), Alfred Maitland (Dunedin),, J. Sligo (Dunedin). The judge was Dr Rutherford Waddell, and in his report he said: "I am glad to say that the average of merit is distinctly higher this year than for several years past. With one or two exceptions all tho poems aTe creditablc, and. more than one is instinct with persons. I had some doubts as to whether 'A Ballad of Dreams,' bv ' Blue Print,' ■ should not have taken the place from one of tho others in the honour list; but at anyrate it, as jvell as "Acrcs3 the Waters,' by ' Mont Blong,' and 'Tokens! desorvo high commendation." ORIGINAL STORY (amateurs), not more than 2500 words.—First £2 2s, second £1 Is.

Mirs Angela Hastings (Duncdin) 1 Miss K. M. Park (Duncdin) ••• .... ..... 2 "Restitution" (no name given) 3 The other competitors were Mi ss F. 3. Byrne (Anderson's Bay). Mies Prissie Feil (Kensington), B. R. Hall (Timaru), _ H. Rose (Duncdin), H. F. Christie (Burnsidc), Miss M. Toslwch (Invercargill), G. Wishart Will (Maori Hill), G. A. Wyclierlev (Duncdin), Robert Farr (Mosgte!), Miss E. Wilson (Gore). The judge was Dr Marshall Macdonald, and his comments were: "Only four of the short stories are worthy of. competing for the prize—the others are nil disfigured by gross faults of spoiling: and by crudenees of composition. The prize story, toy 'Senior,' is a. talc of ancient Ireland, and the names of the characters would form an interesting subject for a- competition in pronunciation. Apart from this drawback, there is little fault to find. _T)p_ writer shows considerable powers of imagination, and the composition is easy and correct. The effect of" the Milesian atmosphere is successfully obtained, and suggests a careful study of the works of Lvnge, Yeats, and other writers of the Neo-Celtie eehool. 'A Story,' by 'Egmont,' takes the second prize. 'It has not so much >vork in it. and bee-ins rather feebly, but tho writer keeps well to his theme, lind develops a vein of quiet but effective humour. • 'Restitution' takes the third prize." DRAWING COMPETITION (school children under 12 years of age).—Erst silver medal, second book. F. B. Clarke (Pine Hill) ... 1 Frank Butierfield (Maori Hill) ... ... 2 Walter Dunstan. (St. Ivilda) 3 The other competitors were: Ruth Ncale. Oliver Sawers, Herbert Beadle, Lilian Simmons, Henry Wise, Bernard Wilcox, Gordon Burt,' Evelyn Mochan, Aiken Chirnside, Florence Churchill, Ha/rry Wilson, Charles Carter, Roland Vaughan, Winfred Gibson (Otokia), Annie Reid (Otokia), Muriel Lonsley (Otokia), Jessie Crawford, and Jack Johnson (Pa.rksdo). DRAWING COMPETITION (school children over 12 and under 15).—First silver modal, second book. Miss Franoss Benton (Dunedin) 1 Miss Marion Taylor (Roslyn) 2 Miss Agnes Crawford IRoslyn) and Master A. J. T. Smith (South Dunedin) ... 3 Also competed: Robert Watson, Essie Bremner (Milton), M. Lawless, Win. Salmond, Wni Sawers, Ada PowelF, Sydney Powlesur.id, Chas. M'Gregor, M'illy M'Clymont, Gordon Beadle, Alfred Young, Alice Scoullar, M. Sullivan. Evelyn Curline, Robert, Rogers, K. Wolstenholme, H. Wolstenhohne, Stella Reid (Otokia), Janot Smith, Mary r yant (Otokia).

DRAWING COMPETITION (amateurs), | original design for. baokcovar on " WinI ter."—First £1 Is, second 10s 6d. | Miss Maud Eglin (Rcslyn), Ernest H. Thomson (South Dunedin), and A. ! A'auglian (Musselburgh), equal 1 : Miss C. Hay (South Dunedin), Frank i Brown (St. ICilda), and W. G. Brown I (Dunedin), equal % j Miss 'Maud Eglin (Roslyn) 5 ; Also competed: Mr E. Kerr. Mr F. I. Roberts, Mr J. H. Denniston, Mrs 11. H. Driver, Miss Eliz, Anderson, Miss' K. m! Park, Miss C. M. Gard'ner, and Mrs K. Johnson.

BRUSHWORK COMPETITION (children j over 10 and under 14). j It. Rogers (Nevada) ... 2 Mist Essie Brennor (Milton) ".. . 3 ' Tho nnmo c>f the' winning work is not ■ known, as 110 name was sent in. The other competitors were: E. S. C. Miller (Duncdin), Miss A lice Evans (Timaru), Miss Ruth ■ Woodley (Timaru), Norman Tyrell (N.E. ] Valley), Vivian Pullen (Duncdin), Miss Ruby Anscombo (Dunwliji), Willie Roberts (Morninglcn), Miss Evelyn Mocha/r (Belleknowes), August Morrison (Dunedin), Lewis j Churchill (Duncdin), R. Taylor (Dunedin), | George Johnson (Parkside). | _ Misses Joachim and Wimperis were the I judges of all the drawing work.

ORATION (amateurs), "The Dignity of Labour," by Newman Hall.—First £2 2s £1 Is. E. V. Slyfield (Normanby), 70 marks ... 1 Miss Ivah Cran (Roslyn), '62 .marks ...' 2 Miss Alice Austin (Dimedin);' 61 marks... 3 : Tho other Competitors were: D, Heben- ■ ton. (Mastertonl, F. ' 11. Taylor' (South Dunedin). D. C. Groves (Port Chalmers), W. J. Cuttle (Gaversham), and Miss Margaret Short (Dunedin). In announcing the result Mr Payne remarked thut most of the- competitors had treated tho piece as a recitation instead of an oration.

RECIIATION (lady or gentlemen, amateurs), "The Isles of Grceoo."-First ! £2 2s, second 10s 6d. Jliss Alice Austin (Dmvwlin), 65 marks ... r l Miss Lilian King (Dunedin}, 62 marks... 2 Miss Batiiie Howie-Stuart. (South Dunedin), 61 marks 3 The other competitors were: Miss Ivali Uan (Rcslyn), 'l'. H. Taylor (Dunedin). -Miss May Aitken (St. Kilda), K. V. SlySel-i (Normanby), D. C. Groves (i*oit Chalmers), J. Cuttle (ClU'crsham), Henry Campbell, (Invercargill), Miss May Bain (SoMh Ditneuin), Miss. Margaret .Short. (Dunedin). Ihcs. Vivian (Dunedin), T. P. Latfey (Dllll- - Miss Lilian King (Dunedin), Gerald Maclonnao (West Harbour), D. J Miller (Maori Hill), C. H. Russell (Dimedm), Mi« Isabel lorrester (Cavershani), Miss Iris Durham (Portobollo), P. A. Devercaux (Christchurch), Miss Esther Devereaux (Uiristchurch). These competitors were heard in the morning, and in. addition to the thme placed. competitors W. J. Cuttle (Caversham) was recalled. 111 giving his decision Mr Payne said that Mr Cuttle, whether from cxcitsuient or some other cause, did not give anything like liis afternoon's performance 111 the evening. The winner, Miss Austin, he adds<l, must be careful about the final syllables of her wowk She held her hands very tightly at 'times, and her final action was anything but graceful. He had paid very spccial.attention to emphasis, ajid this, competitor liad scored very well in i.thafc r&=pect. She was aiso careful m giving

pausation, and had put eomo rather mo© feoling inl.o the piece. Miss King had some nice fueling, but stood rather awkwardly. The position of her left arm must bo attended to. (This remark appeared ludicrous to the audience, and occasioned somo hearty laughter.) Miss Howie-Stuart had baeii rather jerky, and should be caroful aboutjerking her shoulders. Her voice did not require jorking. . . In speaking in the afternoon Mr Pain© expressed the opinion that it was one of the most dilfioult selections on the programme, ono which required most careful attention to detail. The principal weaknesses had been false emphases, wrong inflection, want of contrast, and want of soliloquy. Ho was sorry that he could not include Mr C. ,H.. Russell among the recalls, for ho had given a most thoughtful rendering of the piece, and his facial expression had boon a treat. But, unfortunately, his deportment had been so awkward that the speaker had had to take off marks, which had brought him below the standard. But it was his pleasure to say that when Mr Russell recited he haid seen tho man speaking and not the reciter. In many oases there had beon a great want of depth of feeling. TMs piece was an expression of' earnestness. A few had strained the last versa by almost shouting it. Loudness was not needed to express intensity.

PIANOFORTE SOLO (amateurs under 18 who have never won a first prize), "Tanz do Rosenolfen."—Firef, £1 Is; second, 10s 6d. Ernest Armstrong (Musselburgh), 88 marks 1 Miss Mary Johnson (North-East Harbour) and Master Charles Martin (Ravensbourno), equal 2 Also competed: Miss Doris Dempster (Dunedin), 79; Miss Ruby North (Omimi), 64; Miss Ruby Barth (Musselburgh), 82; Miss Elsie Kettle .(Port Chalmers), 72; Mi;«s Mona Shrimpton, 62. Professor Ives, in making known tho result, expressed bis sympathy with Miss Johnson, who had done woll in tho afternoon, but had unfortunately suffered from a lapse of memory in tho evening. There was nothing in this in itself, but the player had never recovered herself or shown the work she had in the afternoon. She had thtm received 91' marks, and in the eveni, n ?i ? n EO wou ' c ' he seen how she had lost. Master Martin had tho makings of a very good player. Ho had bojn taught to sit rather stiffly, and this attitude had,'ho thought, affected his phrasing in places. He showed some feeling, but denied afrai'.d to let himself go. Ho was a boy of good parts. Of tho winner ho would make 110 comment, but would toll ram his virtues in private. "SOPRANO SOLO (amateurs), ino Almond Tree."—First, £2 2s; second 10s 6d. Miss Maud Pitcher (Mornington), 85 marks . 1 Miss May Walton (Dunedin), 84 marks 2 Misa lluby Clarkscu (Dune-dip), 82.marks 3 Others who computed were:—Miss Nelly Judd (Dunedin), 66; 1 Mifa Vida Waters T9; M'-ss Milliccnt Jennings (Christchurch), 80; Mrs C. M. Crowther (Invcrcargill), 80; Miss Winnie Ferens (Dunedin), 79; Miss Silver (Duncdin), 70; Miss Mary Paton (Dunedin), 73; Miss Daisy Hall (HighcKff), 78; and Miss Gwendoline Mitchell (Dunedin), 75. Professor Ives said the tremolo had been misused, and ho would rccommend the competitors to leave it alone. It-certainly was not required for a'simple little thing of this order. 'He had been surprised, howover, to hear so many promising voices. Miss Walton had a very nice voice. She was a little too nervous, but the quality of tho voico was nicc, liquid, and very sympathetic, and was really very good. It was a refined and not a loud performance. Miss Clarkson had also a very nico voico, but there was a danger of its becoming hard. She should not sing too loud. Sho did not make quite enough of nasi! resonance, and her voice lost in quality in places. Miss Pitoher had bsen shaky in tho afternoon, but lost tbj-t nervousness in the ovening and gave hor song in a voice of nice pure quality. .It had boen a little difficult, to placo her in the afternoon, but ho had no difficulty in the evening performance in placing her first.

PIANOFORTE SOLO' « (Amateurs), " Carillons."—First £2 2s, secoijd 10s 6d. Miss Elsie M'Dougall (Dunedin), 92 marks ... •... 1 Miss Elsio Fea (North-East Valley), 90 marks ■ ... 2 F. Bennett (Dunedin), 87 marks ... ... 3 Also competed: Miss Hilda, Elliott (Dunedin), 82; Miss Ivy M'Fie (Waikouaiti), 72; Miss Laura Browne' (Lawrence), 72; Miss Nellie Card no (GaVerSKam), '67; Miss "Eva Armstrong (Musselburgh), 89; Miss Alison Tucker (Dunedin], 85. The judge was unable, owing to the lateness of the ho|ir,'to make any comment at all I— tho evening.' It should be explained, in regard to tho apparent anomaly of unplaced 'competitors scoring higher than ono of those placed,'that the latterV marks, were those gained in the evening, when his total was a little below that of the afternoon. • PIANOFORTE DUET (Amateurs, 14 and mtdPr 18), " Pierette."—First- £2 2s, seoond 10s 6d'. Miss Elsio M'Dougall and .Master F. Bennett (Dunedin), 91 marks 1 iiiss Elsie M'Dougall and Miss Alison Tucker (Dunedin), 89 marks 2 Mis Myrtle Stanley and Miss Jessie Ross (South Dunedin), 82 marks. ... 3 Other competitors: Miss Mary Johnson (North-Kast Harbour) - and Miss Doris Demps'ier (Dunedin) 80, Miss Ruby Barth and Mr Ernest Armstrong (Muselburgh) 67, Miss Vilera Black and Miss Lissa Howes (MusselburgTi) 77, Miss Elsie ICettle (Port Chalmers) and Mr Andrew Martin (Uunedinj 70. Miss Lily Clark (Kew), and ~ss Lorria 'Deanpster (Caversham) 78. Miss Jessie Jones was to have played with M'iss Tucker, but was unablp 'o uo eo_ through' indisposition, and Miss M'Douga'l filled tlie breach. Tho judge specially commented upon the performance of this .combination as being of a fine standard of graceful daintiness. The use. of tho pedai was important in this piece. Conoerning the uncalled competitors, he said' that Misses Johnson and Dempster lacked delicacy- -mants 80; tSat Miss Barth and Mr Armstrong did not put in the grace notes well, and had a serious misimdcistanding over one. passage—marks 67; that \iis«s Black and Howes needed movo finish—marks 77; that Miss Kettle and Master Martiin Kurrkd it in places—marks 70; and that.as to Misses Clark aaid Lorna Dempster, ho was much struck by the upper-end player's technique and touob — marks 78.

fie • would like to compliment the winon the 'really excellent performance they gave. The second teajn was only 2 ■ points behind, and had done very well. RECITATION (Lady Amateurs), "Tho Ladv <it Shalott."—First £2 2s, second IDs sd. Miss Esther' Devereaux (Christchurch), 62 marks ' 1 Miss Alice Austin (Dunedin), 61 marks 2 Miss .Julia Jacobs (Dunedin) and Miss Bat-hie Howie-Stuart (South Dunedin), 60 marks '•» 3 This competition was heard on Tuesday, and tho above four wero reoallcd for last evening. Mr Pains was unable, owing to piessuro of time, to make any comment. CHAMPION RECITATION (open to all). " Tho Tomb of Napoleon."—First £3 3s, second £1 Is. Miss Lucy Cowim (Christchurch), 75 marks 1 Miss Ethel Churchill (Dunedin), 72 marks ... 2 S. R. Orr (Knox College) and-' Miss F. J. Paoey (Dunedin) 70 marks 3 A'lso competed: Miss Ivah Cran (Roslyn), Mi* D. Ilebenton (Mast-erion), Mr P. 11. Taylor (South Dunedin), Miss May Aitkon (St. Kilda), Mr E: V. Slylield (Nornymby), Mr D. C. Groves (fort Chalmers), ivlr W. J. Cuttle (Cavershani), Miss Alioa Austin (Dunedin), Mr Henry Campbell (Invercargill), Miss May Bain (South Dunedin), Miss Margaret Short (Dunedin), Mr Tlios. Vivian (Dunedin), Mr T. P. Laifey (Dunedin), Mr A. J. M'C'allum (N.E. Valley), Miss Lilian King (Dunedin), Mr C. 11. Russell (Duoedin), Miss Isabel Forrester (Cavershani), Mis* Iris Durham (Porlobello), Mr R. Mac-donald-Dales (Dunedin), Mr 11. M. Morton (Roslyn), Mr John Hutton (Port, Chalmers), Mr P. A. Devereaux (Christchurch), Miss iituiiei' Devereaux (Christchurch). In making known his decision, Mr Paine said the task of separating the four recalled Had not oeen an easy one. Ho must, however, compliment, the winner upon th" atmosphere she 'had put into her work. This had been created in a Vflrv fino manner indeed, particularly in the evening. This \\;as a very important factor-for success. Sho had on© or two pwuioitnced gestures, which ha would advise her to subdue. At tho samo time, thero was a magnificence in the display of depth of feeling and intensity of soul poured out in these very 'beautiful lines. Concerning Miss Churohill, ho regretted exceedingly That she had omitted three lines, which caused her to lose a point or two. She had a rather serious liabit of joiflang: her voice, whioh sho should avoid. • She hod a beautiful voice, and also had nioo feeling. Mr Orr waa a little inclined to let his voice drift at the end_. of his sentences. This applied also to Miss Pacey, some of whose words were scarcely audible. She repressed her voice rather much, and also at times field her h&od befaza face, In.

speaking generally _ in the afternoon Mr Paino said, the majority, instead of .treating tho pTeoe as a soliloquy, treated it as a declamation, while others treated it as a dramatic, work. Then there was a great want of intensity of feeling. Tho voices,' as a whole, woro of very lino quality, and ho would like to see some of them in Victoria. BARITONE SOLO (Amateurs), "When Shadows Gather."—First £2 2s, second 10s. 6d. Robert S. AHwright (Christohurch), 86 marks 1 Oliver Firkin (South Dunedm), 84 marks 2 A. W. Romeril (Dunodin), 82 marks ... 3 Mr John Jacobs was also recalled, and received 81 marks. Tho othor competitors were: J. J. Mulholl'and (North-East Valley) 77,. W. H. Spears (Duncdin) 65, Thos. Vivian (Duncdin) 78,. John A. Timlin (Opoho) 79, Jack Mackenzie (Dunedin) 74,' George J. Blackie (Dunedin) 79, A. M'Donald (Musselburgh) 79, W. H. Fryo (Dunedin) 77, D. Lyons (South Dunedin) 78. This also was an event in which tho judge was unable to make any comment owing to tho lateness of the hour. The winner broke down at the start several times through nervousness and being without his copy. Tho audience, however, greatly appreciated his voice, and gavo him very hearty encouragement. Ho certainly stocd out from £no others 'by his possession .of an excellent, voice. * A comodietta was to have bscn. given, but as the majority of tho audience rose on the completion of the pianoforte solo at 10.45 p.m., it was postponed till thin evening. TO-DAY'S PROGRAMME. -.In tho Victoria Hall tKia morning there will bo held, at 10 o'clock, the ladies' recitation (15 and under 21), at 11.15 the gentlemen's recitation (" The Slave's Dram"), and at noon the recitation for gentlemen over 15 and under 21. In the theatre the morning will bo taken up with hearing 37 ohildren <uwjor 13 years of age play tho pianoforte solo "VaJse Mignon." In tho aftornoon, in Victoria Hall, 54 girls between tho ages of 11 and 15 will recite Tennyson's "Round of Life," while in the theatre the contralto and bass solos will heard. The first item for tho evening entertainment is that ever-popular scction, the impromptu speech. Six speakers are to jippear. Tho recalls for the oontralto, piano, and bass solos will then be heard, and tlvo evening will conclude with a comedietta.