ANNUAL COMPETITIONS

Southland Times, Issue 20586, 10 September 1928, Page 4

ANNUAL COMPETITIONS

WILD BUSH SOCIETY. The Wild Bush Literary and Debating Society’s third annual competitions festival was held in the Gummies-Wild Bush Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. There was a well filled house on each occasion and the whole function proved a decided success. The president, Mr. A. P. McDonald, presided and before declaring the festival open suitably introduced the judges, Messrs B. C. Galloway and J. D. Gilmore. He also extended a hearty welcome to all present. The first night’s programme consisted of the following sections:— Section 9, Pianoforte Duet, (open) one entry. Miss L. Hopcroft and Miss M. Reidie I. Section 10: Recitation (under 11 years), 4 competitors, Connie Hilis 1, Margaret Hogg and Albert Willis (equal) 2. Section 11. Singing (under 11 years), 4 competitors. Martha Murphy 1, Annie Gibb 2. Section 12: Recitation (under 17 years), 4 competitors. Jean Playfair 1, Mavis Hillis 2. Section 13: Singing (gentlemen), 4 competitors, J. Churchill 1, A. E. Farrant 2. Section 15: Singing (under 17 years) 2 competitors. Jean Playfair 1, Bernard Prosser 2. Section 18: Recitation (open), 4 competitors. Mr. A. E. Farrant 1, Mr. A. P. McDonald 2. Section 20. Duet (lady and gentleman) 1 entry. Mr and Mrs Prosser 1. Section 21. Prepared Reading (open) 1 competitor. Miss Mavis Hillis 1. Section 22: National Song (ladies) 2 competitors. Miss Flora McKay 1, Miss M. Prosser 2. Section 23, 3 Humorous Stories, 4 competitors, Mrs T. Borland 1, Mr. A. P. McDonald 2. Section 24: Duet (gentlemen) 1 entry. Mr. J. Churchill and Mr. F. O. Prosser 2. • SECOND SESSION. Section 26: Recitation (Primary School children) 6 competitors, Connie Hillis 1, Margaret Hogg 2. Section 27: Singing (under 14 years) 3 competitors. A. Sandrey 1, Mavis Smith 2. Recitation (under 8 years) 9 competitors. Connie Borland 1, Lorna Green 2. This section the judge said was the gem of the evening. The competitors had all done so well that he would given each a prize. The audience showed emphatically their appreciation of the little ones’ efforts and the comments of the judge. Section 28: Sight Reading (primary schools) 1 competitor. Winnie Cormack 1. Section 29: Singing (ladies) 3 competitors: Miss Flora McKay and Mrs A. E. Farrant (equal) 1, Miss Linda Joyce 2. Section 30 Story without words, 2 competitors. Mr. W. Coekburn 1, Mr. G. Watson 2. Section 31: Violin solo (open), 1 competitor. Mies Jean Playfair 1. Section 32: Musical monologue 2 competitors. Mr. A. E. Farant 1, Mr. W. Coekburn 2. Section 23: Prepared Speech, 2 competitors: Mr. J. Watson 1, Mrs T. Borland 2. Section 34: Duet (ladies) 1 entry: Mrs and Miss Prosser 1. Section 35 Pianoforte Selection, 1 competitor, Miss A. Playfair 1. Section 36: Impromptu Speech, subject ‘Your conception of an Ideal Husband.” 4 competitors: Mr. J. Watson 1, Mrs T. Borland 2. Section 37: National Song (gentlemen) 2 competitors: Mr. J. Churchill 1. Mr. A. E. Farrant 2. Section 38 Humorous Recitation (open), 4 competitors: Mr. A. E. Farrant 1, Miss Jean Playfair 2. Section 39: Quartette, 1 entry: Mrs Prosser, Miss T. Joyce, Mr. F. O. Prosser and Mr. J. Churchill 1.

The results of the writing, drawing, essays and short story competition were announced as follows:

Section 7: Writing, under 14 years, Margaret Hopcroft 1, Winfred and Gladys White (equal) 2. Section 8: Writing, i 4 to 17 years, Beryl Thompson 1, lan Patterson 2 Section 6: Drawing (primary schools): Frank Thompson 1, Douglas Thompson 2. Section 5: Drawing (open), George Peterson 1 and 2. Section 4: Original Story, Mr. J. Watson 1 and 2. Section 1: Essay (open) : “Tiki” 1, Mr. J. Watson 2. Section 2: Essay (primary schools) : Winnie Cormack 1, Lina Leader 2. Section 3: Essay (secondary school) Una Borland 1, lan Patterson 2.

When announcing their decisions at the close of the festival the judges commented upon the improvement in the quality of the work compared with last year. In congratulating the committee for their achievement they strongly advised a continuance of the annual festival. The president, Mr. McDonald, in thanking all who had helped to make the competitions a success said how greatly indebted the society was to the judges, Mr. J. D. Gilmore (elocutionary sections) and Mr. B. C. Galloway (vocal and musical sections) and the accompanist, Miss G. Thompson. The work of the judges, Mr. H. Hamilton (writing), Mr. R. Parker, (drawing) Mr. M. N. Hyndman (literary sections) was fully appreciated. The donation of a valuable trophy by Mr. S. L. McNeil, of Riverton, was gratefully acknowledged. As a mark of appreciation of the services of Mr. Gilmore and Mr. Galloway, Mr. McDonald, on behalf of the society presented the former with a volume of Wordsworth’s poems, and the latter with a baton suitably inscribed. In replying Mr. Gilmore and Mr. Galloway said they appreciated the gifts and were pleased to be able to help these and other country competitions which were doing so valuable a work.