HAMILTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIII, Issue 6, 11 August 1909, Page 63

HAMILTON.

August 6. Waikato Eisteddfod. Quite an unusual amount of interest has been created by the Waikato’s first ■musical and elocutionary competitions, which opened on Wednesday last. Two concerts a day, for three days, is rather a record for a country place, but the attendance, particularly in the evenings, has been exceptionally good, the special trains run for the occasion by the Railway Department bringing crowds from the surrounding townships to augment the town music-lovers. The judge for the musical division of the competitions was Dr. Thomas, whose decisions have been given clearly and impartially. A very popular item was the test anthem for choirs, in which four church choirs competed. The large number of singers on the stage, with the ladies in uniform dress, had a very pleasing appearance, and that they all threw their hearts into their work is shown by the very slight difference in marks obtained by the prize-winners. St. Paul’s Methodist choir (Cambridge) came first with 88

points, St. Andrew's Anglican (Cambridge) second with 85, and the Baptist Church, Hamilton, third, with 83. The judge for the elocutionary sections was Mr. J. F. Montague, of Auckland, who had to decide between a goodly number of the 150 entries which composed the various classes. Careful judging has been the rule here, too, for in the popular class of recitations no less than three

competitors won the same number of marks, 115 each, so a further test was imposed, and Miss Gladys Jenkin, Messrs. G. Newsome and W. Millane have on Friday night to recite an entirely new piece, “The Globe and the Lions.” Space forbids me to mention many pleasing items, but it is interesting to note that at the time of writing Cambridge heads the list with four firsts and four seconds,

Hamilton having gained three firsts and ■even seconds, and Waihi three firsts and one second. u> ’, t Welcome Social. On Thursday evening the parishioners of St. Peter’s welcomed home the Rev. Cowie, who for the last four months has been invalided at Rotorua. We are glad to see he has almost completely recovered his usual health, though forbidden to ride for some few weeks. Mr. English, as people’s warden, made a warmly welcoming speech, which was replied to by the Rev. Cowie, who assured them he would never forget the helpfulness and kindness shown him while laid aside, only one service having been missed during the whole period. Musical items were given by different members of the audience, and a pleasant evening was spent.

Hockey Match. A match took place on Saturday last between the two sides of the ladies’ hockey team, the reds and the blues, in competition for the possession of the silver cup, presented to them by Mr. Howden. The weather was very disagreeable, it being cold and rough, and resulted in both sides being shovt of players, particularly the reds. After some very exciting play, the game was won by the blues with the score of 4 to 3, goals having been scored by Misses M. Taylor, Alice Bond, and Gladys Tompkins for their respective sides. Mr. Fox kindly acted as referee.

ZILLA.