FRENCH CLUB

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 109, 4 November 1935, Page 16

FRENCH CLUB

FINAL REUNION OF SEASON The annual general meeting of the -erclo Francais was held last week in ;he Pioneer Club's reception room. Professor F. F. Miles, president, was n the chair. • The following, officers and committee were elected:—Patron, M. >Edouard roubert (Consul for France); president, Mr. W. F. C. Balham; vice-presidents, Madame O. R. Bendall, OA, M. F Ivl Bouillet, 0.A., Professor E. J. Boyd Wilson,.:O.A., Dr. A. Dillon Carberry secretary, Miss Smythson, O A ; assi&tint secretary. Miss A. Mackav; treat.irer, Miss C. . Mead; librarian, Mrs M..H. Green; auditor Mr S. B Clarke general committee, Mrs. Craig Macken:ie, Miss C. Smythson, Miss F Huntngton, Miss E. Phara7yn, Dr Marshall vlacdonald, Professor F. F Miles O A Mr. J. Butler, Mr. Alan Thorn. The report and balance-sheet were idopted and the affairs of the club ;hown to be in a satisfactory condiion, this year having marked a very lefimte turning of the tide both in Membership and finance. Madame Bendall' expressed her' deep appreciation of the excellent work lone by the' retiring president, Pro'essor Miles, O.AI, during his seven rears in office, and her remarks were •eceived with acclamation. Professor mles (who announced at the begmling of 1935 that he would not be ivailable for re-election) had begun lis' presidency with the 1929 session, :o_.had conducted the club safely hrough some- difficult times It was :elt reasonable that she should now be illowc^ to withdraw from office, havng earned the esteem and thanks of he cercle; fortunately he had been aersuaded to remain upon the commit;ee. Mr. Balham, who is taking over the n-esidential responsibilities, has been i pillar of the club for some years. Professor Miles spoke of the pleasire his association with the committee is president during the past seven had given him. The second part of the evening was levoted to concert items, the chief feaure being supplied by Mr. J. E. Buter. who entertained. with a recorded ecture on Victor Hugo, delivered by Professor Saurat, of London. This was jreceded by- a vocal duet fiom 'Pecheurs de Perles," sung by Gigli md de Luea. sMiss Ruth Reid played violin num>ers, "Slavonic Dance Themes," "Souvenir" (Franz Drdla), and Miss Marorie Bennie sang "La Passion" (Hanlel) and "Mandolin" (Debussy), both )eing warmly encored. Boys . from Wellington College -(Mirams, Barnes, Brown, Wilson,. Gilbert, Gandar, and Saunders) gave "Le' Tribunal," an imusing sketch in costume; These per'ormers were introduced by Mr. A. W. Mffin, who : with Mr. Alan . Thorn' :upervised the item. The programme :oncluded .with "La Marseillaise" and :upper was served under the direction if Miss Mackay, assistant secretary. Vmong the visitors was M. Louis Bouricr. Madame Bendall received.