ITALIAN CULTURAL CLUB

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 260, 30 July 1937, Page 5

ITALIAN CULTURAL CLUB

Lecture on Life of Marconi The Italian Cultural Club held ite fortnight.lv meeting in the Lyceum Club rooms’ recently. A<s m customary, < the first hour Professor E. J. Boyil-n ilsou held his class for students in the Italian language. Commander L. B. Vitali, M.8.L.. Consul for Italy, gave an interesting account of the life and work of the late Marchese Marconi. He spoke from finst-liimd knowledge, having known Marconi personally when in Italy. He showed how much the inventor owed to his parentage—lrish on his mother’s side, Italian on his fathers —and saw in Marconi an outstanding example of national co-operation, for tbe English and Italian Govermeiits had always worked hand in hand to give the inventor every assistance in their power, and Marconi, on his side, had always recognised his debt of gratitude to hi.s English friends and co-operators. Commander Vitali traced tlie gradual evolution of the inventor's discoveries in simple and nou-technical language and gave a lively picture of the man’s genius and personality. The lecturer was followed with close attention by an appreciative audience. Sig. A. P. Ti'uda. who presided, had arranged musical items in harmony with the occasion and with the great loss suffered by Italy iu the death of one of her greatest nationals. The .voeal numbers were “Had You -But Known” (Denza) and “Before the Crucifix” (La Forge), sung by Mrs. M. Tracey and Mr. I. Smith respectively. Mr. J. N. Guntrip was the accompanist for the evening.