COMMUNITY CULTURE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21830, 19 June 1934, Page 14

COMMUNITY CULTURE

PROVISION IN AUCKLAND NUMEROUS ORGANISATIONS WIDE SCOPE OF SUBJECTS The provision in. Auckland of cultural movements and organisations, apart from, tho routine facilities of schools and university, is remarkably varied. Music, the drama, the sciences and almost everything else that can be grouped under tho heading of Cultural pursuits, in so far as they cultivate tho mind and talents, have their exponents and enthusiastic following. Tho obvious day-to-day provision of cultural facilities, or, what might be termed tho permanent institutions, such as the library system, tho museums, art gallery and newspaper press, are so much taken for granted that, like other obvious things, they aro liable to bo overlooked by tho man in the street if he bo asked on the spur of the moment to name the movements for cultural development. They are, however, tho basis upon which a great deal of culturo rests, in as much as they supply tho visual evidence, and the printed word that provide the mind with its tools. Learning and lectures go closely hand in hand and tho learning of Aucklanders would indeed bo profound if they all took advantage of tho diverse lectures arranged for their benefit and profited by them. Among tho regular lecture programmes offered to the public is the series organised by tho Auckland Instituto and Museum for winter evenings and tho Sunday afternoon lectures given by the same institution. Again under the auspices of'the institute are tho lectures given in connection with its anthropology and Maori race section and others held in conjunction with special exhibits in tho museum. Variety oi Topics Tho free winter course of public lectures given by the university adds further to tho provision made for the public benefit, while the Workers' Educational Association provides lectures in a range of subjects covering a wide field and organised into definite courses. As typical may bo quoted drama, literature of tho French revolution, economics, natural history, philosophy, music, international relations and science. Popular public lectures and an annual summer school are further activities of this organisation. From time to time the public is afforded an opportunity of hearing a lecture by some visitor, from overseas, famous in his own sphere or otherwise well qualified to expound his subject. There are, however, a host of local societies and movements which make a regular feature of providing lectures for their members and friends, in the form of luncheon addresses or otherwise. Readily to mind in this category occur the Auckland Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, Travel Club, Creditmen's Club, Overseas > League and Society of Arts. Lectures which further swell the number organised in the community are those given under the auspices of such bodies as the Victoria League, Navy League, British Drama League, League of Nations Union, Peoples' Universities' Association and Auckland Astronomical Society. In another department of learning from the spoken word, tho study and practice of debating, Auckland has many enthusiasts. Keen and friendly rivalry marks the annual contest for the Athenaeum Cup, held under the auspices of the Auckland Literary and Debating Societies' Union. Drama and Music That section of the public interested in the drama does not confine itself entirely to attendance at lectures and the reading of plays. A large proportion is actively concerned in the practical side of the study and some very fine productions have been staged by Auckland's amateur actors. Societies for fostering the drama in this way are the Auckland Little Theatre Society, Garrick' Dramatic Society, \ Georgian Readers, Grafton Shakespeare and Dramatic Society, Catholic Repertory Society and Elam Dramatic Club. There are in addition numerous school dramatic clubs. In the study of music Auckland possesses many enthusiasts and exponents of a high standard of achievement, so that the community is well catered for in its desire to enjoy this aspect of cultural activity. Organisations catering for the public in this ■ regard are the Aifckland Chamber of Music Society, Society of Musicians, Bohemian Orchestra, r Aeolian Orchestra, Mareo Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Amateur Operatic Society, Royal Auckland Choir, Auckland Choral Society and Auckland Municipal Choir. Numerous military bands make their indispensable •contribution to the musical life of the city. ===== %