AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL SONG COMPETITION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3117, 10 December 1913, Page 61

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL SONG COMPETITION.

As Ims already been announced by cable, the adjudicators for the Musical Association of New South Wales awarded the prize of £IOO for the best Australian National Song to Mr Arthur if. Adams, a native of Lawrence, Otago, now a well-known Sydney journalist. In all 722 sets of verses vveie sent in from all parts of the Commonwealth, Another prize of £IOO is offered by the Musical Association for the best musical setting of the winning versts, thanks to the generosity of Messrs Farmer and Co. Sydney. There are six adjudicators, including Mr W. Arundel Orchard, Mus, Bac., who has more than once acted as judge at the Dunedin Competitions. In order that any person qualified may compote, the Musical Association has given us permission to reproduce the verses, which are the copyright of idle association : AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL SONG. By Arthur 11. Adams, Sydney. Vast the heritage we hold, League on endless league unrolled, Splashed with sun ana wattle-gold, God’s demesne,' Australia! Great our' opportunity, Greater must our courage be: For our race we hold in fee God’s demesne, Australia. Sons of those who won the sea. Of Imperial blood are we; Ours the country of the free — God’s demesne, Australia! Freedom for our onward stride! Wide our continent, and wide Are the faitlis and hopes that guide God’s demesne. Australia. Though begirt with guardian sea.s, Not in careless, slothful ease Shall we shield thy liberties — God’s demesne, Australia! Loyal scions of our race. Heady chance and change to face, We shall die, but ne’er disgrace God’s demesne, Australia. •Note. —In the above form the verses were accepted, but the Council of the Musical Association of New South Wales, . wdth the approval of the author, sanctions the employment of the optional word “domain” if more familiar. By the regulations British subjects who have resided in the Commonwealth for a period of 12 months are alone eligible to compete. The musical setting must be the original composition of the competitor. Settings which have been previously published

in connection with other words will not bo considered. Settings nmy ho arranged for a solo voice or chorus (in not more than four parts, or solo and chorus combined), and in either case a pianoforte accompaniment may be added. Manuscripts submitted must bo legibly written in ink on one side of the paper only. Each manuscript must be accompanied by an entrance fee of ss, and a sealed envelope containing the name and address of the writer, wim the nom do plume or motto op the outside of the envelope. Settings with the name of the author or bearing any personal identification mark other than the nom do plume or motto will be disqualified. Manuscripts (more than one setting can be sent if the extra entrance fee is paid] should be registered, aaid addressed: “National Song Competition. The hon. secretary the Musical Association of New South Wales, 16 Paling’s Buildings, Ash street, Sydney.”