AUCKLAND FIXTURES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, 22 August 1912, Page 20

AUCKLAND FIXTURES.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Aug. 24-31 —Margaret Cooper Aug. 31-Sept. 14—Pantomime “Sinbad the Sailor” Sept. 23 to Oct. 12—Oscar Asche-Lily Brayton, “Kismet” Oct. 14-26 —Plimmer-Denniston Co. Oct. 29-Nov. 6—Auckland Amateur Operatic Society TOWN HALL. July 17-Aug. 31—“ The Dandies” Aug. 19-31—Auckland Competitions Society’s Festival PICTURE SHOWS. Queen’s Theatre (Continuous). OPERA HOUSE. Fuller's Vaudeville ...,A TOWN HALL. AUCKLAND COMPETITIONS SOCIETY. . .A THE THIRD FESTIVAL. The Auckland Competitions Society is justifying its existence, judging by the record number of entries received for the third festival (1750), and the interest evinced in the various contests. The committee, supported by that Trojan of managing secretaries, Mr. Scott Colville, have worked unceasingly for some months past in the general interests of the society, and the success of the undertaking is largely due to their energies. The official opening by the Mayor (Mr. C. J. Parr) took place in the Town Hall on Monday afternoon, Mr. C. Hudson, president of the society, occupying the chair. Amongst those present were the Hon. James Allen, Minister for Finance and Education. Mr. Hudson in referring to the large number of entries received said it was gratifying that much support was now being accorded to the society by teachers of music and elocution, who had at first been hostile to the competitions. The society had adhered to its policy of securing judges in Australia, and had, he believed, obtained the best who were available. The judges, by the way, are Mr. W. Arundel Orchard (music) and Mr. W. L. Paine (elocution) and hail from Sydney and Melbourne respectively. The Mayor, in a few congratulatory remarks, said that one of the reasons which had actuated the City Council in building the Town Hall was that it might accommodate such gatherings as the present competitionSi Mr. Allen emphasised the advantages of competitions. In Dunedin, which was the home of such festivals, they had grown into a public institution of great value, and Auckland must already have begun to realise their worth. The attendances during the day are very satisfactory, the supporters of each competitor being present in good numbers, while attractive programmes are specially prepared for each night. In the piano solo contest (over 18) there were ten competitors, Miss M. Mitchell (Dunedin) coming first,, with Miss L. Pickering and Miss F. Denz second and third respectively. The judge remarked that the players lacked temperament. Other competitions so far judged are as follow: —Violin solo (over 18) Miss Ina Bosworth (Auckland). Mr. A. Gordon, Mr. Jas. McElwain in that order. Soprano solo: Miss L. Walker 1, Miss M. Coleman 2, Miss A. Seabrook 3. Operatic tenor solo: (Salve Dimora) Mr. A. Ripley 1, Mr. W. Coleman 2, Mr. W. Asninall 3. There were ten competitors. The Quartette honours went to the Lyric (Messrs. E. and M. Kniaht. Rvan and Aspinall). Mr. J. C. Bel 1 (Wellington) was first in the dramatic recital class, followed by Mr. A. J. Martin and Mr. F.. Ward. Miss L. Gardner won the operatic soprano solo test. The tenojp solo was won by Mr. A. H. Ripley, Mr. W. Walter scoring second honours.