LYTTELTON COMPETITIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10871, 11 September 1913, Page 4

LYTTELTON COMPETITIONS.

FIRST DAY'S RESULTS

Although, musical and elocutionary competitions have been in vogue in various centres of New Zealand for some years past, it was not until 1911 that Lyttelton thought fit to enter the field, and even then the inauguration of the .fixtures was left to the members of the Lyttolron Literary and Debating Society, of which Mr W. G. Stewart was secretary- At first it was thought that the limited population of the Port would prove a. decided' drawback as far as comjietitors were concerned, but subsequent events have shown that this is not the case. In 1011 the competitions were limited to one night and the prize money to £5, while for the respective, classes a total of twenty entries was received. The success which attended their efforts induced the Society to again carry them out, and last year the programme was increased to twenty sections, for which fifty-three entries were received, exclusive of those who competed in the classes set aside for the children. These competitions were run at a cost of about £4O, and extended over four nights. The competitions of 1913 have excelled anything undertaken by the Society, a sum of about £.140 in prizes being given, the programme increased to sixty-three sections and competitors allowed to compete in certain classes from any town in the dominion. This has re- i suited in an entry of 300, and the corny mittce has found it necessary to extend tho competitions over ten nights and | one afternoon. j

Tlio opening performances took place last evening, when there was a large attendance.

In declaring the competitions open the president (Mr J. R. AVebb, Mayor of Lyttelton) said it gave him much pleasure to be present, as he realised that the competitions had been needed in the past for many years, and would tend to elevate tho artistic standard of the community. The mem here of tho Society had.a big contract before them but he had no doubt 'their efforts would meet with success. ' ' Following are the. results:— .... , ESSAY. "Home Industries "Week: Its Objects, Scope and Value.'' Mr A. R. Keele, 8" points .... 1 Miss Foster, &2 points . . . .' . 2 Tho judge, Mr J. A. Stout, said that the essays hat! been of a very high standard, both competitors having made use of very appropriate quotations. Mr Keele was better in tho order of treatment, language and. expression, while from ;i business point of view ho liad treate'd th'e 'subject more concisefy. Miss Foster was better in local colouring and also in detail. PIANO SOLO. (Sixteen and under twenty-one years.) Waltz in C Sharp Minor (Chopin). Miss I. M'.Dowell, 8.9 points . . . 1 Miss Ruth Flynn, 86 points . . ( . .2 Miss B. Thompson, 83 points . .3 Miss M. Hutchison 77 points and Miss G. E. Pago 67 points also competed. The judge, Mr Alfred Worsley, aaid that the winner's playing was much freer than that of Miss Flynn. The middle portion of the setting was taken rather too slowly. The expression -pasi , a little exaggerated.' but showed musical temperament. Miss Flyrm's tone was rather hard, while the tempo was a little too slow and the expression rather forced. Although her playing was rather stiff, her performance, however, was very creditable. Miss Thompson's playing was stiff and her posing very faulty. Speaking generally, the judgo aaid that all the competitors played Stiffly, with their wrists too high, which prevented free finger action.

SOPRANO SOLO. "Who .is Sylvia?" (Schubert). Miss Oetgau, 80 points . . ... . 1 Mrs iicder, 72 points ..... 2 Mrs F. Anderson. 65 points . . . ._ 3 The judge (Mr Worsley) said that Miss Ootgen's tone was too far back and the expression somewhat strained Mrs Roder f> tone was rather thin, and was also too far back. The tempo was slow aaid the expression exaggerated. Mrs Anderson s rhythm and intonation wore weak, while at times the consonants were sounded too soon after tho vowel. HUMOROUS RECITATION. (Own Selection.) Mr F. J. M'Donald, " Sergeant Buzfuz." 140 points * Jlr D. Rutherford, "The Wreck of the Hesperus," 138 points . . . .2 Miss A. Carter, "A Trip to Blackpool," 137 points . . 3 Mr H. M'D. Vincent. "Tho Street Watchman's Story," 13! points . . 4 Miss J. Stewart, Miss M'Aulifte, Messrs F. M. Cordery. J. E. Doolan, C. P. Kemptlionio and G. N.' Morris also competed. The judge (Mr Stout) said that t thfc four placed competitors were excellent _iu action. Humour was well brought out. The spirit of the different pieces was caught in fine style. The weakness amongst several competitors was bad enunciation and articulation caused by speaking rather too fast. VOCAL DUET —LADIES. (Own Selection.) Misses Shepheard and Andrews, "Iwin Stars." 72 points . . . ■ • 1 Miss Oetgen and Mrs A. T. Smith, iNocturne," GO points . .■ • • Tho .judge (Mr Worsley) said that the contralto tone was too fa.r back, and the bieat.hmir of both competitors was not deep enough. The duet was rather difficult, for them, whilo the phrases were not always finished well. The tone of the runners-up was too closed and tho sounding of the consonants too faulty. The intonation was not always true. At tho conclusion of tho competition the Mayor, Mr J. 11. Webb, presented the certificates to the winners. The competitions will be continued to-night when the Original Poem, Mandolin Solo. Tenor Solo, Impromptu Speech and Bass Solo sections will bo taken.