PRESENTATIONS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXL, Issue 20260, 8 November 1935, Page 14

PRESENTATIONS

APPRECIATIONS OF MR ERROL FULLER Yesterday afternoon the executive of the South Canterbury branch of the British Drama League made a presentation to Mr Errol Fuller, manager of the Majestic Theatre, in recognition of the valuable assistance he had given at the festivals of community drama held in Timaru within recent years. Dr. W. H. Unwin (president), in asking Mr Fuller to accept a handsome fountain pen and stand, said the South Canterbury Drama League’s association with Mr Fuller had been so cordial, and their regret at his impending departure so sincere, that members of the executive felt they could not allow Mr Fuller to take his departure without expressing in some tangible form their appreciation of the invaluable assistance Mr Fuller had given the League since the festivals had been

held in the Theatre Royal. Dr. Unwin said he could speak from personal experience in acknowledging the helpful and expert assistance that Mr Fuller had always given. It had been no small undertaking for the League to embark upon the bigger work in the Theatre, but Mr Fuller had been most helpful and encouraging in assisting tfcj Drama League to present its festivals and he desired to express the executive’s regret at his impending departure. Mr S. A. Odell, on behalf of the Repertory Group of the Drama League, tendered to Mr Fuller the thanks of the repertory players for the invaluable help he had given in smoothing out all the difficulties that they had had to face in the presentation of three act plays. Messrs A. E. Lawrence and W. G. Tweedy (vice-presidents of the League) expressed their appreciation of the invaluable contribution Mr Fuller had made towards the continual success of the drama festivals and the encouragement, advice and help he had given the League when they embarked upon the experiment of transferring their activities from one of the smaller halls into the Theatre, and in each annual festival since. On behalf of the producers of plays who had been greatly assisted by Mr Fuller, Mr Tweedy tendered their sincerest thanks and good wishes. In reply. Mr Fuller said he deeply appreciated the gift the Drama League had given him. He was gratified to know that his efforts had been so much appreciated, because he had been prompted by a keen interest in community drama and his reward had come in the continued success of the festivals of community drama in Timaru.

Other Presentations

Members of the Timaru Police Force assembled yesterday afternoon to bid farewell to Mr Fuller. On behalf of the members of the Force. Inspector T. Shanahan presented Mr Fuller with a pocket wallet, and in doing so referred to the happy relations which had existed between their guest and the members of the Force. Mr Fuller had been held in the highest esteem, and while they regretted his departure, they had to wish him every success in Invercargill. Mr Fuller briefly acknowledged the gift, and said that he would always treasure the friendships he had made in Timaru. His association with the members of the Force had been of the happiest, and he hoped at some future date to be able to renew the friendships he had formed. Fitting recognition of his many services in the interests of charity was made to Mr Errol Fuller by a large gathering of his business associates yesterday afternoon when a farewell function was tendered him by Mrs E. F. O’Leary at the Empire. The gathering was presided over by Mr G. H. Andrews, who paid a glowing tribute to Mr Fuller for his unostentatious service to the community generally and made special reference to his fine work in producing the crowning ceremony in connection with the successful Queen Carnival held last year. Mr H. F. Morton, in asking Mr Fuller o accept a well filled wallet as a token of the esteem in which he was held by his many friends, also referred to j the guest’s unstinted efforts in the

cause of charity, or for that matter, any deserving cause. Similar sentU* ments were expressed by Messrs H.-IS. D. Willcox, J. M. C. McLeod and H. Allchurch, who joined in wishing both Mr and Mrs Fuller every success in Invercargill. Mr Fuller suitably replied. During the community sing held.in the Theatre Royal last night in aid of the funds of the New Zealand Queen in the all Nations Fair, the song leader, Mr R. McNair (Christchurch) referred to Mr Fuller’s work in Timaru and wished him success in his new appointment.