REPERTORY SOCIETY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 9, 8 December 1937, Page 10

REPERTORY SOCIETY

, ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Manawatu Repertory Society was held on Monday evening, Mr M. H. Oram presiding. The report stated, inter alia, that the membership had increased to 180. Eight monthly readings of plays were held and it was the endeavour of the committee to make the character of tho plays selected as divers© as possible, and from the interest shown generally this policy appeared to have been appreciated. Owing to various unforeseen circumstances it was decided not to proceed with an Opera House production this year and two fully staged productions were put on in the Empire Hall—“ The Late Christopher Bean” and “Tlie Shining Hour.” The former was produced by Miss Hancock but unfortunately she suffered an accident and the production was completed by Mr Oram.' So far as the general executive work of tho society was concerned, too much praise could not be given to the work of the honorary secretaries and particularly to that of Miss Mavis Mortland, whose genial personality and efficiency had contributed very largely to the successful position in which the society now found itself. The work of the society had grown to such an extent with the increase in' members that the appointment of a part-time paid secretary had become a necessity. The finances of the society were in a very sound position. The following officers wore elected: —Patron, Mr David Mitchell; president, Mr M. H. Oram; vice-presidents, Dr F. H. McDowall, Messrs T. M. N. Rodgers, M. N. Wallace, J. Murray; assistant-secretary, Miss M. Richards; treasurer, Mr L. Plimmer ; committee, Miss M. Mortland, Mr W. M. Webster, Miss K. Birnie, Miss .U. Hancock, Mr O. Plank, Mr J. G. Driver, Mr A. Coles, Mr J. Birnie; auditor, Mr W. L. Birnie.

In view of the recommendation that the services of a paid secretary be secured, tlie matter of selecting a secretary was loft to the incoming committee to decide.

During the general discussion many helpful suggestions were made for next year’s working and it was gratifying to the committee that such an enthusiastic interest was taken by members. The. suggestions will be referred to the incoming committee for consideration.