Lecture by Sir George Fenwick.

Cromwell Argus, Volume L, Issue 2647, 10 November 1919, Page 5

Lecture by Sir George Fenwick.

j Under the auspices of the Presbyterian j Church, Cromwell was specially favored by ) a visit of Sir (I corye Fenwick, founder of i the Cko.mwki.i, Auers, November 3rd, I iNii!). who lectured on his CNperiences in ; Britain and France, with the aid of lantern slides. It will he remembered that Sir | George was one of the deputation-journalists I invited to visit the actual battleliold to obI tain first hand information. His visit, to j Cromwell syehroni/.ed with the fiftieth year j of publication of the Cromwku. Aksi s. A large and appreciative audience had the pleasure of witnessing, through the aid of views thrown on the screen, the tour made by I lie journalists, and were practically made part of the deputation by the enthusiasm of the lecturer. Not only were they taken to the great naval base at Rosy lb but through great shipyards and munition factories and carried in fancy to sec ships | and shells in action. , Especially interesting I to a Cromwell audience—lovers of horses— I was the descriptive account of the work of | tin; veterinary department over the poor shot-riddled bodies of the artillery horses, I many views of which were thrown on the •screen. Then to France in association with our sol tiers on the battlefield, and enjoying their company as they for a time enjoyed a well earned respite from the front; line. Then oil'to well-Knowu battlefields seeing the awful devastation wrought by Herman shells as we passed through ruined towns, and as a compensation entered tiie great compound and saw the Herman prisoners waiting to he removed. Visited HiuVs acre, where many of our bravest and host lie and bowed in snbmissiopT .Met Harry Lauder there. The great comedian had just Inst his only son, and heard his confession and dedication : “ Will I go to the devil or to Hod?” “To Hod.” At the close the audience were entertained to a few side lights of the way the inhabitants behaved in France during the war, with the courageous spirit of a brave nation. Altogether the lecture was well delivered and interesting from start to finish. Only one feature was to be regretted and that of Cromwell fifty years ago. We had hoped that the lecturer would have taken more time to relate his personal experience of IStii). But; Sir George was afraid of keeping his audience longer than the Elders hour, 10 p. m. That may be so elsewhere but not in Cromwell. However the pen pictures of old worthies which he gave were much appreciated and the anecdotes were worth hearing, especially that of his own experience when fearing the establishment of a rival newspaper in Cromwell. He rode with 500 copies of the Lawrence paper, “ Tuapeka Press,” with the title changed for the occasion to “Cromwell Argus.” Days and years have gone since then. That wee hit of earn mil ige did no harm. The Cho.mwkm. Auers still nourishes and is likely to g > on with the little brook forever.