REVIEWED BY JUDGES.

Wairarapa Age, 26 October 1926, Page 5

REVIEWED BY JUDGES.

AUCKLAND COMPETITIONS.

AUCKLAND, October 25. In a review of the competitions festival, Mr. Culford Bell, of Wellington, the elocutionary judge, said that he was struck by the comparative absence of outstanding talent, which was strange in a city of Auckland’s size, and it could only be supposed that the best talent was not interested in competitions. The standard of work was higher than last year, a pleasing feature being the absence of impure speech. Principally owing to their inexperience, the men were weak, but there were some very fine lady reciters. The chief weakness in the classes was the absence of mentality. Mr. C. W. Kerry. Wellington, judge ■of the vocal and instrumental music, observed that these were some splendid lady ringers here, especially contraltos, although some of the men gave good performances, their voices were almost totally untrained. The choral work was very disappointing, sincerity being sacrificed for novelty. There were some ■clever and the standard of the piano work was exceptionally high, but the competitors must exercise better judgment in the choice of pieces.—(P.A.)