IMPERIAL CULTURE.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18552, 30 November 1925, Page 5

IMPERIAL CULTURE.

MEETING OF SOCIETY. A meeting of the Society for Imperial Culture was held at "Te Whore" on Saturday night, Dr. Sandston presiding over a large attendance. In opening the meeting, the chairman said it was one of, the most momentous occasions' in the history of the Society, because for the first time they had as their guest of honour the winner of the Sawtell Travelling Scholarship. In all other branches of learning, he said, students, by the aid of scholarships, were afforded an opportunity of advancing their knowledge, but in art he believed this was the only opportunity afforded to students to do so. To gain this coveted scholarship, candidates were required to undergo a very searching test, and Mr Cook had gone through it with flying colours. On behalf of the Society lie wished to congratulate Mr Cook, who was leaving for England in the near future. Reference was also made to Mr Cook's work by Dr. J. Hight, who congratulated him on the fine work he had. done. Ho expressed the opinion that Mr Cook would, uphold the honour of New Zealand art in the Old Country, and would prove a credit to those who had been responsible for awarding the scholarship. Among those who had contributed very largely towards making the scholarship possible was Mrs Rosa Sawtell. who was to be congratulated on the great success which had attended her untiring efforts. Mr Cook, in responding, thanked the previous speakers for their kindly references to himself, and said he would endeavour to uphold the trust which had heen reposed in him. Professor J. B. Condiiffe delivered an illustrated address on "East and West." He dealt with the changing, relations which' were coming into existence between European and Ear En-stern nations. One of the greatest differences between present day Eastern and Western civilisations was. he said, that, the West had developed its scientific wind to « very marked extent, and ns a-result of ibis had come the rapid development of its industries. The speaker proceeded to detail t'ne present day emulation by the Er.st of European and American ideals and cu c toms, and sjlmwed what a' reinarkaMe effect the American cinematograph films were having on the Japanese and Chinese people.

Pianoforte items were contributed by Miss Piri Thompson, and vecal solos by Miss Mildred Hussc'.l, Miss A. Warren playing the accompaniments. Votes of thanks were passed to the lecturer and to those who had contributed to the programme. The hall "was beautifully decorated for the occasion, large bowls of orange Oriental poppies, copper beech. _ and marigolds providing the principal decorations. The following; pictures bv Mr A. I'. VifdH were r.n exhibition: ''"Roses ; "In Merry Mood"; "White Mantle'; "Snow at' 'The Hilltop' "; "Snow and Sunshine": "Summit Road'; Jfoveaux" ; "Akaroa Head."