“COMPETITIONS’

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 117, 20 May 1932, Page 6

“COMPETITIONS’

Sir,—ln your columns this morning you gave various results of the musical, elocutionary and dancing competi • tions at, Palmerston North. My inter cst being aroused 1 found the oppor • (unity of perusing a programme of these competitions and was amazed at the large number of entries for practically all sections—vocal, instrumen ’ tai (including quartetts, trios, duets and solo numbers for ban Lsmen), elocutionary and dancing, in both senior and junior divisions. Comp titu s, I found, had come from far afield. A large contingent was from Wellington, and there were many from Hawera Wanganui, Napier, Gisborne and Thei centres. So Large were the entries in thi elocutionary section, that a second judge had to be obtained. I notice that four halls are in daily use, and the reports so far indicate good attend ances of the public at all sessions. I find also that in Christchurch, the Competition Society is holding a successful festival in spite of the tram and other difficulties; also that Napier, although they might have been well ex (•used, carried on this year during the Raster holidays, receiving very large entries, and were rewarded by public interest and a‘' n, idance. On our o*h i side, Hawera holds its annual competi tion festival, and although on a smaller scale, I understand the promoters are more than satisfied wi'h the result The Wellington Society Last year had record entries in all classes and have presented an oven more a. bilious pro gramme for .1932. These competitions undoubtedly fill an important, place in the artistic and educative side ‘of life. and. although de •!■ --i-m and difficulties arc around us, surely there is nn need to discon tinuc our cultural education. Further, these competition l- . n ul ’-'”nh not the be-all and end-all of study, certainly do provide an i"' , ‘'ntive, a goal for students and provide a standard of achievement. But Wanganui lags behind. Memories of past S‘ n ssful festivals come to tho mind, and Wanganui was noted for a high standard of excellence in all sections covered ’ ompeti tions. En ’ally, of course, memories of failure, or comn , '" ‘ ; ve f’i’nro. are there, but, sir, I feel as tired that with careful management tho causes of t c past failures co- - ’ 1 be discover'! and eliminated and that again Wanganui could take its rightful position as a centre artistic culture. The difficulties that face tho reform ing of a eompet." ’on •''•ietv are, firstly, a debt of approximately £l2O incurred bv the old sicioty, ’ * r n ” 1 assured this need not be a serious hindrance. an 3 the gentleman concerned will put no obstacle in the way of a now s ■ ety being formed. "”■ >ndly. suitable d. tes on which to hold the festival. The first terr - holidays would clash wi’h Palmerston North, tho second term holiday"’ with Wellington and Hawera; but I ar- convinced that a week or ten days during the Christmas-New, Year vacation would prove most suitable. There is little attraction in our city during that period, and the competitions would not clash with any other function, and further would be the means of bringing a largo number from other districts here, and should not seriously affect local competitors and teachers. . I think there would be little difficulty in forming a strong committee ol business men and women to consider the whole question if one can be found enthusiastic enough to load the way. and may I suggest, sir. that -on arc tha one. You have shown that you aro sympathetic with all movements that are ■ f educational and artistic value—and I believe you would receive an immediate response from u large section of the community. “ORPHEUS.’’ , Afay 19, 1932.