DRAMA LEAGUE

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 120, 17 November 1936, Page 8

DRAMA LEAGUE

LOCAL ACTIVITIES

OCCUPATION FOR LEISURE

The annual general meeting of the Wellington area of the British Drama League (New Zealand branch). Incorporated, was held last night. There was a good attendance. The annual report, alter mentioning various difficulties which had to be overcome during the year, showed that in spite of these the area's activities, particularly the festival, had been' successful and the finances were in a sound Dosilion. On lh-i motion of Miss Kane,- congratulations were accorded to the Wellington Repertory Society team, under the direction of Mr. G. H: S. Swan, upon its success in gaining first place at jthe final festival for New Zealand, I held Dunedin.

Mr. Keesing commented upon the small number of teams which entered for the festival this year, considering the great number of societies in Wellington, and said it was hoped that the smaller societies would enter more teams next year.

As th«. national executive is now to conduct a junior play-writing competition, this competition, previously conducted by the Wellington area, is to be merged into the national competition. Members c: assed their thanks to Mr. T laid for donating a cup for the winning olay in this competition. Mr. Keesing moved that the following remit should be sent to national headquarters:—"That the British Drama League (New Zealand branch) do all it can to assist in providing occupation for the leisure time of those whose working hours have been reduced under Government legislation, and that it should make available to Government and other schemes the facilities of its organisation so far as lies within its ability to assist in this direction." This motion was passed unanimously. Mr. Keesing stressed the value of dramatic work as a form of occupation for men as well as women, and for old as well as young, and said that this was not yet appreciated by all. ••-.,«. Mr. Queree, the retiring president, thanked his officers for their cooperation during the year/specialthanks being due to Mr. E. Harrowell and Miss D. Cunningham, as stage managers, Miss Daisy Isaacs :as secretary, Miss Eberlet as treasurer, and. Mr. P. W. Cousins as house manager, and a vote of thanks was passed to the retiring committee. - . ■

The Rev. D. J. Davies the new president), in thanking the members for his election, said that the drama had a great humanising influence and played a vital part in the life of the community, and <hat he would devote.as much time and thought as he could to the affairs of the league. Supper brought an interesting meeting t" a close, during which plans for the. summer school to be held at Victoria College from December 28 until January U were discussed. The election Of officers was as follows—President, the Rev. D. J. Davies (elected unopposed); vice-presidents, Messrs. T. Oueree and P. Keesing; hon. treasurer. Miss M. Eberlet; hon. secretary, Miss Daisy Isaacs; '- committee. Misses Mona ; Brien, Doreen Cunningham, Annette Karcourt, and Hardcastle, and Messrs. Balham and Cousins.