COMPETITIONS

Southland Times, Issue 21089, 22 May 1930, Page 8

COMPETITIONS

FIRST DEMONSTRATION CONCERT. AN UNQUALIFIED SUCCESS. The first demonstration concert held in connection with the Gore Competitions Society’s annual festival in the Princess Theatre last evening attracted a very large audience, many being unable to gain a's littance. The programme submitted was an excellent one and the various items by the successful competitors at the festival were enthusiastically received. A particularly interesting number, and one which made a popular appeal, was given by the elocutionary judge, Mrs Culford Bell, who had to re-appear. Another popular item was the half-hour entertainment presented by Gore’s Gloom Chasers.

During the evening the president of the society, Mr E. C. South, in the course of a brief address, said that at times the executive had expressed some little doubt as to the hold which the competitions had on Gore and district. There were indications that competitions were losing their popularity in some other districts, and the support given to the Gore festival this year was particularly heartening to the committee. Front the expressions of appreciation passed during the festival there was every reason to believe that the audiences which had attended the various evening sessions during the festival had enjoyed the programmes submitted and also that they appreciated the efforts which the society was making to encourage the young people to develop their artistic faculties. The society was grateful to the local competitors and particularly to competitors from other centres who had come to take part in the festival. All would agree that the competitors had put forward their best efforts, and the standard of work this year had been higher than for some three or four years past. The society desired also to tiVnk the public for its continued support, and it was hoped that as a result it would not only be able to meet the heavy expense incurred this year, but that it would be able to make up the deficit incurred in two previous festivals. To the proprietors of the Princess Theatre the society was deeply indebted for their generous action in postponing the alterations to the building in order to enable the festival to be carried out. On behalf of the executive, he desired also to thank the judges for their efficient work and for their helpful suggestions to competitors. Thanks were also due to Mr Cameron, who had acted as piper for the dancing sections and who had performed his arduous task satisfactorily. Excellent work had also been accomplished by the official accompanist, Miss Mary Johnson, F.T.C.L., whose work had earned the appreciation of the competitors and judges alike. Referring to the members of the executive, Mr Smith raid that all the festivals held by the society had run very smoothly, because of the capable organization of the secretary, Mr W. D. Shelton. Other members of the executive had also given of their services unsparingly, some acting as ushers throughout the whole of the festival. The members he particularly wished to pay a tribute to were Mr A. Stevenson, who with Mr A. J. Kerse as assistant, had carried out the duties of stage manager. Thanks were also due to Mr A. Stevens, of the United Trading Company, for supplying the stage furnishings, and to Messrs J. Speden and 11. Johnson for supplying the floral decorations.

The second demonstration concert will be held this evening and the programme arranged promises to be equally attractive as that presented last evening. The Gore Gloom Chasers will again give their popular half-hour entertainment, and by special request Miss Tui Northey, in addition to her other items, will give a whistling solo. The vocal and elocutionary champions will also contribute items. It is hoped that as a result of the support given to to-night’s concert the expectations of the society will be fulfilled and the 1930 festival will be as successful financially as has been from a competitive point of view. The junior elocutionary championship was won by Miss Audrey Watson, of Dunedin, who won the special prize donated by Mr A. W. Thomson. THE CHAMPIONSHIPS. The following championship awards in connection with the Gore Competitions Society’s festival were announced yesterday morning:— ELOCUTION CHAMPIONSHIP. A prize of £5 5/- (donated by Messrs Fleming and Co., Ltd., and known as the Herbert Fleming Memorial Prize) awarded to the lady or gentleman competitor gaining the highest aggregate marks in specified classes. Miss I McGregor (Dunedin) 469 points 1 Miss N. Buswell (Dunedin) 465 .... 2 Miss E. Newbold (Dunedin) 462 .. .. 3 Mr O. Duggan (Mandeville) 451 .. .. 4 Mrs A. Styles (Waikaka) 442 5 Mrs J. Grant (Mossburn) 439 6 VOCAL CHAMPIONSHIP. H. and J. Smith’s Special Prize. A prize of £5 5/- or gold medal awarded to the lady or gentleman competitor gaining the highest aggregate marks in specified classes Miss G. Burt (Dunedin), 430 points .. 1 Mrs E. K. Mills (Invercargill) 419 t Mr J. E. Davies (Dunedin) 419 ~ .; f Mrs L. Graham (Balclutha) 415 .. .. 4 Mr R. W. Stevenson (Gore) 414 .... 5 Miss P. Melrose (Mosgiel) 413 6 Mr J. P. Mayhew (Gore) 411 7 Miss A. Melrose (Mosgiel) 403 8 Miss D. Pearce (Dunedin) 401 .. .. 9 Miss M. E. Morris (Dunedin) 393 .. 10