ROTARY CLUB

Northern Advocate, 24 June 1925, Page 3

ROTARY CLUB

SECOND SESSION,

LUNCHEON AND U3CTURE

The second weekly luncheon of the Whangarei Rotary Club was held in the X.M.C.A. club rooms at 12.15 p.m. yesterday. The president of the club, Rotarian D. A. MeLcan, was in the chair, and introduced Rotarian Holdsworth, who had a most interesting and instructive address to deliver to the gathering. Other distinguished guests included Miss Edna Thomas and her associate artistes, Miss C. Piper and Miss Lucile Lawrence.

The aocidental abuse of the Rotarian rule that only Christian names or club names be used, instead of the title "Mr," gave rise to much laughter during the chairman's opening speech introducing Rotarian Holdsworth, he, the chairman, referring to Rotarian Holdsworth as "Mr," a lapse which Rotarian Crane arose with considerable alacrity to point out, only to commit the same misdeameaaour himself. The offenders having been fined one shilling each, as laid down in the Rotarian rul6s, the chairman called upon Rotarians to introduce. their guests.

This ceremony over, Rotarian I Holdsworth addreseed the assembly and quickly gained the wrapt attention of his fellow Rotarians and guests by his fluency and fervour in speaking of the principles and precepts of Rotary, and its beneficent influence in the lives of a community. Striking examples of the strong motif of friendship, running through all the the aims and objects of— Rotary, constituted the theme of Rotarian Holctewirth's, address, and several instances were quoted to show the spirit of amity and goodfellowship displayed % various Rotary Clubs, encountered by Rotarian Holdsworth and a party of his fellow Rotarians, who undertook the journey to the Rotary Congress, in St. Louis, U.S.A., some two years ago. i HARD TO EXPLAIN.

The party were giyen an enthusiastic send-off at Auckland land, in-, deed, were enthusiastically received and feted throughout their tour. As the vessel neared Honolulu, a wireless message of greeting was received by the Rotary group on board, from the, Rotary Club in Honolulu, and on arrival at Honolulu the travellers were accorded a truly splendid reception. Rotarian Holdsworth spoke of being greeted by a "bunch of happy men," overflowing with the spirit of comradeship, "until," said the speaker,, "one was fain to ask one's self, 'What is Rotary?' "

"It is a difficult thing to explain," continued the speaker, but he succeeded in convincing his audienco that it is a real and tangible power for goody and left" his headers in no doubt <us -to the. effect of ,"*Rotary

upon a' man '3. daily life. \ i "Many times during the ; s tour,'' said '■ the 1 speaker, wef«? asked, •What is and many times: we asked ourselves the same Question.' But it is most difficult to explain,'' he added.

On arrival in Vancouver the party were greeted by the Vancouver Rotary Club and given a repetition Of their reception at Honolulu. The members of the , local Rotary Club came down to meet the boat and called out demanding various Rotariana, by name, to stand forth and make themselves known.