THE COMPETITIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20298, 7 May 1934, Page 11

THE COMPETITIONS.

Mayor Praises Work of i Society. OPENING CEREMONY. Praise for the work done by the Christchurch Competitions Society waa voiced on Saturday evening by the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr D. G. Sullivan. M.P.) speaking at the competitions opening ceremony. He deplored the failing off in public attendances. but remarked that it was pleasing to note increased entries. _ . •• The society is doing something o raise the level of culture of the public,' 1 continued Mr Sullivan. “ I attach a great deal of importance to the work of the society, for a body which is doing such great work is rendering a valuable service to the community. Therefore, I hope that the Competitions Society in Christchurch never comes to the state when it has to abandon its festivals. It deserves the hearty support of the public.” The public was not taking the interest in the competitions as in times gone by, said the president (Mr R. H. JCamm). This had been caused by the radio, the gramophone and the talkies. Fortunately the competitors had not lost their interest. Some of the societies in other parts of the Dominion had had to close down. but Christchurch had managed to keep going. Several entertaining classes had been introduced this year, and it was hoped that the public would support the festival. „ The judges this year are: Mr Ernest .Tenner, A.R.A.M.. L.R.A.M.. vocal and instrumental sections; Mr W. RussellWood, elocution; and Miss Jean Miller, fancy, national and ballroom dancing. A well varied programme was presented. In addition 4o the finals, the following first sections of classes were heard, and will be decided later when the classes are completed:—Action chorus, any age, in costume; humorous character sketch, man or woman; song in character, man or woman (not comic); instrumental trio, own selection; ballet, twelve and over, with small orchestra accompaniment: popular song, man or woman; and one act play. Results, with judges' comment, were as follows: PIANO SOLO. Twelve and under fourteen. “The Dance of Columbine” (Brash). Thirty-seven entries. Miss Rona Norman (Linwood), 82 points 1 Miss Alma Giniblett (Linwood), SO Miss 1 Beryl Baggs (Christchurch), 79 points 3 ‘‘This was rather disappointing,” said the judge. “I was quite expecting better playing. Everyone seemed to lack imagination. The ohildre* do not seem to have been taught the meaning of the title of the piece. They depicted Columbine as a heavy peasant, instead of a capricious, light dancer.” HUMOROUS RECITATION, Boys under sixteen. Own selection. Fifteen entries. Master Billv Cook (Riccarton). “The Hero, Heroine, the Villain,” 84 Master Jeffrey ivi’Neill (Cashmere), "My Motor Car,” 82 points .... 2 Master John Murie (Fendalton), “The Scholarship,” 81 points . . 3 “This was a fair class, and the items were quite new.” said the judge. “There was an absence of vulgarity, which I was very glad to see. The winner had a good voice, and a good sense of humour. He was a little indistinct at times. The second boy had a robust voice, and good personality. However, his voice lacked modulation.” RECITATION IN CHARACTER. Boy or girl, eight and under twelve Humorous. Twelve entries. Master Vivian Hansen (Greymouth), •Bosun Bill,” 104 points 1 Master Jack Robb (St Albans), “Golf,” 101 points 2 Miss Zoe Ayling (Christchurch). “I am a Kitten,” and Miss Valerie Fitz Gerald (Wellington), "Unfortunate Bessy,” 100 points (equal) 3 The judge said that work in this class; was of a low standard. However, the pieces had been well chosen, there being an absence of dialect pieces. He did not like to hear pieces of that type from children. The winner had given an artistic performance. The second boy had spoken out well, and lie should do' well in the future, llis vowels were a little faulty. SONG IN CHARACTER. Boy or girl, thirteen and under sixteen. Twenty entries. Miss May Allen (Ruapuna), "The Moon Maiden,” 81 points 1 Miss Jean Dickson (Addington), "My Crinoline,” SO points 2 Miss Jean MacLachlnn (Christchurch), ” Posie of Roses,” 79 points 3 “Some of the competitors were excellent musically, but their character work was not as good,” said the judge. • This made it hard for me. I gave the prize to the singer of ‘The Moon Maiden/ because of the difficulty of the song.” CHARACTER DANCE. Thirteen and under sixteen. Not Spanish. Fifteen entries. Miss Billie Addis (Christchurch), •Russian,” 83 points l Miss Jean O’Connor (Wellington), "Hungarian.” 81 points 2 Miss June Scott (Palmerston North), "Inferno.” 80 points .... 3 The judge said that it had been a good class, and hard to judge. In the case of the three placed dancers, their interpretation had be n good. The winner bad danced exceedingly well. Saturday’s Recalls. Recalls of classes heard on Saturday, to he decided to-night, were as follows : RECITATION. Bovs, eight and under- twelve. “How the Elephant Got His Trunk” (Kipling). Eighteen entries. Recalls—Masters Jack Robb (St Albans) and Bernard Larsen (Dunedin). Third, equal: Masters Douglas Kelly (Fendalton) and Ivan Stacey (Avonside). Highly commended: Masters Vivian Hansen (Greymouth), Trevor Oakley (Christchurch) and Maxwell Tonkin (Spreydon). RECITATION. Girls, fourteen and under sixteen. "The Little Serving Maid” (Hilaire Belloc). Twelve entries. Recalls—Misses Sylvia Sanders (Hokitika) and Margaret M’Allister (Innwood). Third prize: Miss Marion Quartermain (Riccarton).