CHAUTAUQUA

Hokitika Guardian, 25 March 1922, Page 2

CHAUTAUQUA

THE FINAL SESSION

The Chautauqua season came to a dose last night. The afternoon session was well attended and the Arcadians pleased the audience greatly. An introduced novelty of community singing specially pleased the older folk. The address was oh “Ndtionjii Highways” and was interesting arid instructive. , 1 At night the Opera House was well filled. The proceedings were opened by the Junior Chautauqua organised during the past few days by the Story Lady. The theme of the presentation was'“The Spirit of Thrift,” and a, couple of score of boys and girls gave ( a pleasing entertainment. Then followed the Arcadian quartette with a' bright interlude of singing, which the audience greatly applauded. The address was “Corner Stones of Character.” The speaker was Professor Herbsman of Seattle, and the lecture was undoubtedly the most solid of the series. The speaker’s idea was to hold the mirror of nature up to liis auditors, and seeing for themselves shape their own characters to avoid the pit falls of every day life. The four corner stones of character were described by Mr Herbsman as simplicity, sympathy, sincerity and service. From this alliterative text, the lecture formulated a powerful address, covering a great quantity of ground—for he is. a rapid, fluent speaker— and holding the attention of the audience to the end, when he was' accorded an ovation. The address was brightened with many a quip and crank, and stories apropos the subject were well told. A fine collection of poetic quotations were introduced into the address, conveying high thoughts and ideals, ahd pointing the direct moral tb tile line- o j thought. Professor Herbsman’s address was for old and young), men and women alike. The moulding of character was an every day process, and no opportunity should be missed to improve it. Simplicity of life was stressed at the outset. This affected both dress and living. He was very caustic about extravagance in dress as indicating a lack of character on the part of those responsible for the excesses. Sympathy with one’s fellowman was the second phase, and this was elaborated in some detail to show how humanhelp could be extended to those about us. Sincerity was the mother of ambition, which was the. driving fotee leading to success,, and in this ponnectiorf he told of Americans and Englishmen (whose names were househo d words) whose ambition persistently applied had led them—all men of chai-acter-to the highest positions not onlv in the land, but in the hearts o ! the people. This spirit was cultivated in New Zealand, and he quoted tb names of the late Mr Seddon and Mr Mdssev. Both were men with humble beSnihg- Yet their character rjm such that they made their v\ ay to . top of the tree. Finally, in *mce tbev had the coping stone to character.' Honesty of purpose, and giving value for value received, was not on y the right thing to do, but in the. present state of world conditions, it nas the only means to reconstruct satisfac-

t There could he no world reconstruction, said the speaker without individual reconstruction. They had P ed through a period of war which had for spreading effects. * oeS^ e Herbsnian pronounced bis faith in future in no uncertain were many signs that r.ght would b established. The most assured fact this regard was the amity of the A glo-Americaii relations. The 'Dnghs speaking people were closer to‘ cither than ever they had been. Bo Britain and the United States h enough confidence ill each other to settle their disputes by arbltiatio . There would be no more war between the two countries. Tnen President Hard in.r had convened a great conference at° Washington, whereat wonder ul strides were made in world agnation. They had seen, too a puictm 1 proposal to settle the affairs of - ‘ and by arbitration. They had seen L great issues at the Washington Conference, issues which had beei world disturbing, were, on the ng - wav to settlement. All these mighty events strengthened his faith in t future, and gave a bright hope which no passing breakdown could dim. The lecturer spoke enthusiastically of New Zealand. His panegyric of our three beautiful 1 isles wits a delightful piece of word painting, this led him up to his P® wherein lie spoke of the life m the home, of the blessing of motherhood, of the duty of parents to t children, and of the natural affection which should be cultivated always in the borne circle. He pleaded with the young people to read and su y ■ works of the masters. To 'apply themselves diligently to their every day work in whatever walk of life th . might be engaged. The greatest responsibility of all rested on the paienU in helping to shape the character o their offspring, and m sending into the world good men and women to whom the task of reconstruction would become the easier, the strongei and better their own character and mode of clean living. The last thought lie left with ns attentive auditors , was that arbitration should displace war and the misery and loss the latter brought in its train. Just as nations submitted their differences to arbitration, so must disputes, within each country fie similarly dealt with. A commercial or industrial war must be taken in hand, not by strikes or lock outs but by arbitration. A duty was cas upon capital and labour alike ir tns respect, and that was to be rational If possessed with -those elements of charcater which had been emphasised that evening all would be well, and he urged a study of the phases he had touched upon, and the practice o simplicity, sympathy, sincerity an service in every day life. Mr D. J. Evans on behalf of the guarantors expressed thanks for t e financial success of the season and co v veyed good wishes to the performed and lecturers who had so ably entertained; and instructed them. Mr Evans thanked Mr Henry Holmes for the use of his piano which has »een praised as one iif the best £hpnt?,Hqi]s in N?l v -H

Evan s also referred to Mr Wild*# sustained services in. year after year making possible the visits to Hokitika, and a vote of acclamation was accorded Mr Wild. Miss Noreen returned thanks for the good wishes extended, and the singing of the National the proceedings. ' (