W.E.A. LECTURES

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 210, 19 August 1927, Page 8

W.E.A. LECTURES

HASTINGS CENTRE ' ANNUAL MEETING. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. At the close of Mr. A. Ernest Mandel's lecture in Hastings last night, the annual meeting of the Hastings Centre of the W.E-A. was held, Mr. ti. R. French presiding. REPORT & BALANCESHEET. The hon. secretary (Mr V. L. Westerman) read the following report, which included the financial position: Executive Organisation: At the annual meeting held on 30th September, 1926, the following executive committee was elected to assist in the promotion and conduct of W.E.A. classes in Hastings during the present year:—President, His Worship the Mayor (Mr G. A. Maddison); executive, Mesdames Elphick, Jones and Paynter; Misses Commin and Curlett, Bev. F. Copeland and Messrs. French, Harding, Rochfort, Sheriff, E. V. Simpson and Taylor; hon. treasurer, Mr J. R. McNaught; hon. secretary, Mr V. L. Westerman. Byreason of removal from Hastings, resignations were received from Miss Curlett and Mr. McNaught. The vacancies, however, have since been tilled by the appointement of Mr. H. R. French as hon- treasurer, whilst Messrs, Malone, Nicholls and Pratt have been co-opted. Propaganda: Priof to the commencement of the present session a good deal of propaganda work was undertaken by the members of the Executive Committee for the purpose of popularising the course of lectures outlined by M r Mander and thereby securing an increased membership. Immediately before the opening of the course extra publicity in the forms of advertising, circular letters ind distribution of syllabuses was resorted to.

Lectures: Owing to his greatly enlarged territory this year, ranging from New Plymouth to Masterton ■nd Napier- our tutor-lecturer, Mr. Mander. was unable to commence his course of lectures in Hastings before the stb May. A most attractive course of studies in mediaeval history. dealing with the gradual emergence of the modern world out of the darkness and chaoas following the collapse of the Greek-Roman civilisation and ranging from A.D. 100 to the middle of the 17th century, was presented by the lecturer in his characteristic manner of vivid realism. Peoples and times and per. sonalities were made to live again to the audience; whilst the logical interpretation of movement and “vents comprised the essence of each lecture.

Attendance and Enrolments: Th» aggregate attendance to date totals 1488, averaging 106 per lecture, a most gratifying and creditable average. considering the somewhat trying winter through which we have passed, and the increased sickness prevailing this year. Enrolments total 150.

Tutorial Class: The tutorial class formed to study applied elementary logic commenced also on May sth, some 25 members joining to undertake more detailed study in this subject- The attendance throughout has been steady and the interest and work most encouraging. Finance: We are pleased to record a satisfactory balance at this date. To the credit balance of £lB brought forward from last year, there has been added £l5 12/6 by way of subscriptions from members, totalling 119, also a renewal of the grant of £l5 from the Hastings Borough Council. Deducting expenses and commitments accrued to date, we are able to carry forward a balance of £25. Although the subscription .of l> per course is quite voluntary, in order that none may be debarred from the lectures, we must again stress the opinion previously expressed that those personally deriving the benefit should liberally con•rihnte to the support of the movement.

Special Lecture: We are pleased to report, that Prof. B. E. Murphy, pro. lessor of economics at Victoria University College, has kindly consented to lecture to us at the conclusion nf he present course, so that we anticipate an overflow audience to hen bis lecture on 25th inst,, entitled “Public Finance in N.Z. from Balance to Massey.”-

Recess Lectures: It has been suggested that it might be possible to arrange a series of monthly lectures by qualified men and women to assist in bridging the gap intervening be-

tween the conclusion of the present course and the opening of the 1828 session, thus to a degree maintaining the association already established. This is a matter upon which this meeting might well pass judgment for the guidance and instruction of the Executive Committee. Thanks: Our thanks are due to all gentlemen who kindly consented to preside at our lectures this year; to the Hastings Borough Council for the monetary grant of £l5; to the Rev. F. Copeland and office bearers of Wesley Church for allowing us tn have the regular use of this hall; to the “Hawke’s Bay Tribune” for the splendid publicity service given; and above all to our lecturer for the splendid series of brilliant descriptive studies delivered by him during the past four months. Conclusion: The course of study in history pursued this year has been most illuminating and instructive. Its very brevity has whetted the appetite for more. The results achieved clearly demonstrate the value of the University Extension Movement in the sphere of adult education under the organisation of the W.E.A. As the years go by we hope an increasing number of men and women will join to benefit from the splendid opportunities offered by the varied courses of study, with the result that public thought will be modified, moulded and developed. No force is more powerful or more necessary in a democratic state than an enlightened public opinion. Following the spread of adult education, false premises and popular fallacies will require to give place in the search for truth ; and by reason of the action and reaction of facts and ideas in th t evolution of peoples and states we may reasonably anticipate that the university extension movement will exercise an ever widening and leavening and steadying influence as we journey to the future. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Following officers and executive were elected for the ensuing year:— President, Mr G. A. Maddison (Mayor); hon. secretary, Mr V. L. Westerman, both re-elected; executive. last year’s executive were reappointed, with the exception of the Rev. F. Copeland, who is shortly leaving Hastings, and Mrs Paynter, who has resigned. The chairman paid tribute to the excellent work done by the lecturer and a vote of thanks was accorded him by acclamation, whilst the logic class also expressed their gratitude to him.

Mr. Mander expressed himself ns very satisfied at the reappointment as secretary of Mr. Westerman, whose devotion and enthusiasm had kept the movement running smoothly and successfully in Hastings. As long as Mr. Westerman was in charge, he had no anxiety for the Hastings centre.