A NIGHT WITH DICKENS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18163, 10 August 1933, Page 11

A NIGHT WITH DICKENS

‘IHE OLD CURIOSITY SHOE’ LECTURETTE BY MR. SMEETH There was an excellent attendance of members at the monthly meeting of the local Dickens Club, held last evening, in the Freesia Lounge. . The president, Mrs. J. A, I me, was in the chair, and there was a lengthy list of business matters to be dealt with, j Among the incoming correspondence were letters from the Rev. Mr, femeeth. of Dunedin, and Mr. H. J. Eames, of Nuhaka, both being keen students and exponents of Dickens’ works, .the former 'had forwarded a lecturette for club use, and the latter Sent his usual covering letter arid his monthly contribution to the local club, of which he is a valued member. The July Questionnaire, which had been answered by the club and returned to Mr. Eames for correction, proved correct excepting for one small particular —“the person addressed” in one question. As ah ques-1 tions on the cards are answered from memory alone, and are selected'from any one of the 22 volumes of Dickens’ works, it will be readily admitted that there are genuine students in the local ciub The August questionnaire was put toj the meeting and answered ready for the return dispatch. ’ Discussions arose as to the form or, entertairiment the club would pursue for its final big night in November, and various suggestions wore advanced. It . was finally decided to hold a Dickens’ j costume dinner for members in Novem- 1 ber, followed by a Dickens’ dramatic and humorous night, which would be open to the public. , ; A further suggestion, that a children s Christmas tree and party be held, met with approval as it would be in full | accord with the master's teaching, and, this function was set down for early in December. . 1 It was decided that a Dickens flag five-hundred evening would be held on : August 30 in lieu of the one arranged ‘for September, owing to a clashing of dates m the prior arrangement. Congratulations on the success of the social evenings so far held were extended to the president and secretary, respectively. The subject matter for tho evening i was a lecturette by the Rev. J. M. j Hmeeth, of Dunedin, on “The Old Cun- . osify Shop,” and it claimed the keenest j of attention and interest. Mrs. W. A. i Smith delivered the lecturette, and the ( intersected readirigs were taken by , Mesdames T. G. Lawless, N. Hooper, J. A. Pirie, and Erie Hampton, ft was ; found that time would not allow of completioh anti tho balance of the lecture was held over until next month, when the following Indies will complete the ( programme by dialogues and sketches Mesdames H. Holmes and Q, S, Vin- . cent, and Miss Kenny. | Keen appreciation of tho lecture was ( expressed, and tho secretary was in- ( structed to write to Mr. Smeeth expressing the thanks of tho Gisborne Dickens Club for his Valuable assistance. A delicious supper concluded the pro- j tendings.