BRITISH DRAMA LEAGUE

Evening Star, Issue 21905, 17 December 1934, Page 4

BRITISH DRAMA LEAGUE

OTAGO BRANCH'S ANNUAL ' MEETING ■v 1/ v • . The Otago branch of the British* Drama Lea'gue,-which held its inaugural meeting in May-, of last; year, met in the Otago Women’s Club on the evening of December 7 for the first annual meeting. The president, Miss Bessie Thomson,- was in the chair, and in presenting the report, for the, year ran over the history of the league since its inception. The representatives of the affiliated societies, which now- number n» less than eighteen, have met at various times, and as a result of their, efforts, and the enthusiastic co-operation which, the league has always met with from _ its affiliated groups, the festival held in May last year was an outstanding success, artistically and financially.The Festival Committee, which had borne the burden of the and Mrs Sutherland Ross, who did yeoman work as organiser or publicity for the festival’ are to be congratulated on the, splendid result of-their efforts. The Otago area won the distinction at this festival of being the ..first area in New Zealand to have an - A ' certificate awarded, this being gained; by thd winning team, from .the- Dunedin Repertory , Society,. with its -presentation of ‘ Gruaeh.’ - The President then referred to the fact that Mr Dali had been, compelled through pressure of work to, resign from the secretaryship of the league. It Was with great regret that the committee accepted his resignation, as his task, no light one, had always been well and capably done.. , , Finally, Miss Thomson said she hoped that in the coming year the groups,, through their representatives, would work, not only for another successful festival, but also for the other objects of the league, one of which, the promotion of periodical vacation schools of drama for amateur producers and actorsi if onoe Well launched/ was sure of a big response. 1 The Treasurer then read the balancesheet, .this document showing a very substantial balance on the right side of the ledger. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows:—Patrons,' Lady Ferguson and Mrs P. R. Sargood;' president, Miss Bessie Thomson;. vice-presidents. Mesdames Sutherland Ross and Richard Hudson, Miss M. Barron, Dr E. Bv Williams, Mr C. R. Allen :..hon. secre. tary, Mr P. H. W. Nevill’; hen. treasurer, Mr R.’G. Napier; committeeone representative from each affiliated group, together with Mesdames-Maurico Myers and Lawrensen and Mr W- W. Bridgman. After some discussion the date of the next festival was left to the incoming committee to decide. Miss Thomson and Mr Cjj, B. Niven Were appointed re? ppesentatives of .the area at the National Council to be held in Auckland during the Summer School of Drama there this Christmas, and the meeting closed with votes of thanks to Mr Dali,the retiring secretary, for his work dur. ing the past year.