LYCEUM CLUB

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 12318, 4 April 1938, Page 2

LYCEUM CLUB

GENERAL MEETING

A special general meeting was held at the Lyceum Club Rooms for the purpose of passing Club Rules. The President. Mrs N. X. P. Green, presided, and there was an attendance of approximately seventy members. Apologies were received from Mcsdames T. Hall. McCardle, Bradmore, Evans, R. McNaughton, and Misses McGill and Thompson.

The Honorary Secretary, Mrs M. P, Munro. read the Federation Rules and the portion of the minutes of the inaugural meeting dealing with the name and fees of the Culb. It was proposed by Mrs Harno, seconded by Mrs Cramer-Roberts. that the rules be passed as written. Tne motion was carried unanimously.

The President then spoke on matters relating to the various circles. She also announced that every Friday afternoon would be open afternoon for bridge at the Club. Following afternoon tea the various circles were formed and convenors elected as follows:

Bridge; Mrs Cramer-Roberts. Gardening: Mrs J. S. Thompson. Literary and Drama; Mrs Christian.

Arts and Crafts; Mrs Meikle. Malt Jongg; Mrs Washer i prote m ).

Get Together: Mrs Mac Diarmid

The formation of a Musical Circle was held in abeyance until a suitable piano could be purchased. The arranging of this circle was placed in the hands of Mrs Munro.

ARTS AND CRAFTS CIRCLE

ADDRESS BY MISS HOLLAND

The Arts and Crafts Circle held their first open evening on Friday last, when a most entertaining talk was given by Miss Holland, of Auckland. Miss Holland is an artist, and is at present staying in Tauranga as the guest of Miss Harty. Taking as her subject “My Experiences Abroad,” Miss Holland gave special attention to her study of Art during the eight years she spent away from New Zealand. She commenced with her departure in 192!) to Australia, thence to Italy, France and England. From England, the traveller visited other countries including an extensive tour of Spain. Malaga, Majorca, Seville, Barcelona, and Granada were described at length. The most graphic description was given of the outbreak of the Revolution in Spain, and of its heart-break-ing effects in Madrid, whore Miss Holland saw twelve convents burning at once and their occupants lleeing in terror. Many beautiful sights which Miss Holland visited in Spain have been since completely destroyed. On the lighter side the speaker told of her meeting with Mary Bickford, and of the dance she had with Charlie Chaplin. Speaking of Art, Miss Holland described her efforts to take lessons at an Art School in London, and how when she at last made suitable arrangements, the teacher was taken ill and remained away for the whole of the period she spent at school. Subsequently single lessons were taken from leading artists, whose methods hPP ai- ently tvere somewhat odd, the student following a “catch as catch can” system, and being expected to learn by observing the master while at work.

It was shown, however, as Miss Holland’s story progressed that she had assimilated a certain amount of technique to add to her natural talent, for her life’s ambition was realised in London when one of her pictures was accepted and hung by the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, and another accepted for hanging. Her pictures were also hung in the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh, in the Goupil Salon (London), and by the Aberdeen Artists Society. Last year Miss Holland held an exhibition of her work in Auckland.

At the conclusion of the talk, which had been illustrated by many amusing little anecdotes, Miss Holland chatted to several of those present who had also visited the countries mentioned, and later gave the names of all the artists with whom she had come in contact, many of them being among the foremost of the day. Mrs Meikle, convener of the Arts and Crafts Circle, who had introduced the speaker, presented a dainty posy of flowers in shades of red which was a perfect match for the black floral georgette frock which Miss Holland was wearing, and Mrs Green, President of the Club, expressed the thanks of the members of the Club for the opportunity afforded them of hearing such an entertaining talk. Supper was served by the members of the Circle, who were very gratified by the success of their first evening.