ROTARY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19960, 19 November 1934, Page 6

ROTARY

INTER-CLUB MEETING IN TIMARU ENJOYABLE FUNCTION The spirit of rotary was very much in evidence at an inter-club gathering, which was held in Timaru on Saturday night. There were present representatives of the Christchurch, Timaru, Oarnaru and Dunedin Clubs, the gathering being presided over by Rotarian F. I. Washbourn, president of the Timaru Club. At the conclusion of dinner the chairman extended a welcome to the visitors, and expressed pleasure that the outside clubs were so well represented. Timaru members looked on the Christchurch Club as the parent of the Timaru Club, for a party of Christchurch members came to Timaru when the formation of a club in the town was suggested. Actually they had performed a bigger work than they realised, for the Timaru Club now had a membership of 50, and a wonderful spirit existed among members, who had done useful work in the town. Rotary had a most excellent name, not only in this country, but right throughout the world. The chairman went on to say that the annual conference was to be held in Timaru at the end of February, and they hoped to have the support of all the clubs represented that night. The conference would be the first to be held in the South Island outside the main centres, and they were desirous of making it a complete success. At this stage Rotarian A. Horwell entertained the gathering with a song, all present joining in the chorus. The speaker for the evening was Mr A. J. Rae, whose subject was “Internationalism of Art.” Mr Rae said that what he had to say might be somewhat rambling, because it was just a vague sort of an idea. After all that was just what art was, a vague sort of an idea. He would endeavour to cover a good deal of ground, and say something about a lot of countries. He could not conceive of anyone taking up the study of art without taking up that phase of mind. The student had to extend his fronties, for art knew no frontiers. It spoke all languages and knew no race. Those who became lovers of art or students must necessarily feel drawn to all peoples. Mr Rae said that he desired to commence by showing a number of photographs of works by ancient artists, for the modem artists were the direct descendants of the Greek sculptors and Egyptian painters. It was an unbroken chain right down to the present day. The pictures would illustrate the unbroken chain, and they would make their own appeal. Mr Rae then handed round a large number of photographs depicting Grech, French and English architecture, works by Belgian and German painters and numerous other famous artists, and he also displayed views jf modern buildings, illustrating the style of architecture of the present day. Those present found the photographs of great interest, and they followed the speaker’s comment closely. On the motion of Rotarian Harman, of Christchurch, Mr Rae was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his address. Greetings to Rotarian G. G. Virtue, of Sydney, were extended by the chairman, who said he hoped that Rotarian Virtue would convey best wishes from the gathering to the Sydney Club. Rotarian Virtue thanked the chairman for his kindly remarks, and said that he would be pleased to convey greetings. Rotarian J. Stewart, president of the Christchurch Club expressed pleasure at being present at the gathering. and said he was sure all the Christchurch members had had an enjoyable time. They had always taken a very keen interest in the Timaru Club, and would be only too pleased to help in any way with the forth coming conference. Past Governor H. Guthrie, of Dunedin and President Tomlinson, of Oarnaru, also expressed pleasure at being present, and regretted that the southern contingents had not been larger. However, they had enjoyed themselves, and would endeavour to ensure a large attendance at the annual conference. The Sunshine Fund of the Timaru Club benefited considerably as a result of the activities of the Timaru Ser-geant-At-Arms. who instituted proceedings against a number of local and visiting members and collected the fines.