BUSH BOOK CLUB
“REFUGE FROM BOREDOM.” SYDNEY, June 6. “Do remember the children. From the age of four they have dreadfully inquiring minds, and it is a wonderful thing to get some books to them,” said her Excellency, Lady Stonehaven, who presided yesterday afternoon at the twentieth annual meeting of the Bush Book Club.
The annual report stated that during the year between 13,000 and 14,000 books had been sent away. There were now 2824 places in receipt of books, 274 having been added during the year. The Victoria League in London had sent out three large conqiomrnPTl Admiral E. R. G. R. Evans, who proposed the adoption of the annual report, spoke on what books mean to those who are lonely. “I have lived away out in the snow,” he said, “where even nature herself was lonely, and had been so for countless thousands of years until visited by a puny handful of men, bent on learning her secrets. Now, as commander of the Royal Australian Squadron, I am only taken to the stations, but I do know something of typical bush life. I feel deeply for those who are doing so much to keep Australia on the map. This is to be a difficult year for the Bush Book Club, for every one seems inclined to join the ‘Let us be gloomy brigade.’ (Laughter.) During the Great War sailors could not have continued to keep the seas without their books, in which they found refuge from boredom and a sure cure for brain stagnation. Some men can merely sit and think, and when they stop thinking they merely sit. From such a fate may God spare me. (Laughter.) The majority hunger after brain enrichment and it is for the majority that I plead. (Applause). I can picture no greater tragedy than setting off on a. Polar expedition without books. If my appeal doe’s not please, then you need not ask me to any future meetings of the Bush Book Club. But if it does please you, I hope you will do as I do, ami hand over a ‘quid.’ (Laughter). Amid great applause Admiral Evans throw a £1 note on the table. t
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Greymouth Evening Star, 19 June 1930, Page 12
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365BUSH BOOK CLUB Greymouth Evening Star, 19 June 1930, Page 12
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