DICKENS FELLOWSHIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15557, 14 March 1914, Page 4

DICKENS FELLOWSHIP.

Sir,—l am .given -to ■ understand that there is no branch of the Dickens Fellowship in Auckland. When this "was mentioned recently at a meeting of the committee of the Sydney branch,. I was'accredited as a kind of representative to endeavour to form a branch in Auckland during my projected visit - from ' about March 13 to April 20. The Dickens Fellowship has for its object the knitting together, in a common bond of sympathy, of all lovers of that great roaster of humour and pathos. First formed in London about twelve years ago, it has branches in nearly'' every English-speaking- , country ; and a I united membership of ■ more than, twenty thousand. In Sydney,'we have just begun' our second year and., our .membership is well over 300- Our president is; the Lord Mayor of Sydney and among the vice-pre-sidents are Sir Edmund Barton/ Judge

Backhouse, and Professor David, but ti« : \ most pleasing feature of the' society is the "'' * genuine spirit "of'good fellowship that prevails. During the,"past year, the income '""' of the Sydney .branch was £80 18s 3d, and even. with heavy initial expenses we had. a balance.in hand of £4 43, lid. Thus a - number of excellent meetings were held at a comparatively trifling cost. - The annual subscription is really nominal, but the large membership allows this to cover ex-' 1 penses. I hope to give one or two Dickens recitals during my visit to Auckland and' to meet any lovers of Dickens who may V;"* feel inclined to form a branch of the v.' fellowship in. your city. Though I hope '" to remain for four or five weeks, the time " will not be too long for the making of arrangements, so that if any Dickens V lovers feel interested in the proposal they might kindly write to me, care of Mr. Charles Newland, Eanfurly Road. Epsom! I need only add that the fellowship i a open to all, without any restriction as to class, creed, or nationality. George Walters, Sydney, February 27, 1914.