THE COMPETITIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10753, 26 April 1913, Page 7

THE COMPETITIONS.

*. FOURTH ANNUAL FESTIVAL. CHILDREN'S DAY. To-day the annual festival of the Christchurch Literary and Competitions Society was devcted entirely to the children. Tho entries in the vnrious classes were largo, there being twenty-fivo competitors in the recitation for girls under twelve, and twentyeight in tho pianoforte solo for children und'or the age of thirteen years. Every competitor faced the judge in the lattor Bection. Some very commendable performances were given duringi the day in both tho elocutionary and musical sections. A word of praise is due to Mr H. Swenev, director, for the admirable way in which ne controlled the eager little competitors. The following were tho results of tho various classes:

PIANOFORTE SOLO (Children under thirteen). " Sonatina in G" (Beethoven). Twenty-eight competitors. In this class some very good playing wfvs heard. After listening to tlte competitors, a task which occupied the morning, tho judge recalled Misses Rita Grace Smith (Auckland), Dorothy Shelton (St Albans) and Gwitha M. R. Young (Opa>wa). Ho complimented the performers on their good work, and then showed them how the opening passages Bhould be played. The tempo in. many cases was taken too rapidly. A few had done really well, -and as the competitions were inaugurated to encourage players showing talent, he wanted to help to that end.

Mr R. Hampton secured third place in the Prepared Speech Contest, and' not Mr W. J. Dobbs, aa published in the morning; newspapers.