WAIMATE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20782, 17 July 1937, Page 4

WAIMATE

FORMATION OF DRAMA CENTRE KEEN INTEREST SHOWN “Largely because of the activities of the Women’s Institutes, there is an extraordinary interest in drama in the country. That interest is growing and will continue to grow because drama is worthwhile, its study is cultural, it stimulates the imagination and it is more satisfying than modern canned entertainment,” declared Dr. W. H. Unwin, president of the South Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Drama League, in an address at Waimate on Thursday evening, when a committee was set up to promote the formation of a drama centre in th Waimate district. Various sections in Waimate had been interested in drama in the past, said Dr. Unwin. Waimate teams had competed in three of the ten festivals conducted by the South Canterbury branch since its inauguration. The first and third festivals had been attended by the Waimate W.E.A., and the seventh by the Waimate Catholic Club. It was disappointing that Waimate had not been represented at all the festivals. The speaker proceeded to sketch the development of the South Canterbury branch and outlined the objects of the Drama League. One of the objects, he said, was to run a drama library for the benefit of affiliated societies. The South Canterbury library had been added to from year to year until it had become a very valuable asset. The branch also ran a one-act play writing competition, the three best entries being performed during the season. Another object was to combine groups into a repertory society, although not a great deal had been done in that direction. Group activities, he continued, consisted of play reading or acting of one-act plays. At the Timaru meetings plays or lectures were held, while week-end or longer period schools of drama were held either by the branch itself or in conjunction with the New Zealand branch of the British Drama League. The speaker went on to outline the activities of the British Drama League, mentioning the Dominion festival and the steps taken to provide expert coaching for the various groups. Abundance of Talent A great well of latent dramatic talent which could be developed and built up for the community benefit existed in Waimate, said Mr A. E. Lawrence, vicepresident of the South Canterbury branch, who also addressed the meeting. Having judged the speeches at the Catholic Federated Clubs’ conference, he was convinced that there was considerable talent among the men, and from his experience in Timaru, he knew the possibilities of development among young people who, perhaps, would be diffident before having their interest directed to the work. The development of drama was a community movement, he said, and was not for the development of stars, and that principle was borne out by the system adopted by the Drama League in adjudicating on plays. Mr Lawrence said that he would not suggest that Waimate should come under the wing of Timaru, but should develop its own talent, perhaps holding a festival of its own and sending the best team to Timaru. Young players would probably prefer to take part in a smaller festival rather than compete against ijiorc seasoned players for a start. As part of the South Canterbury branch Waimate would be participating in the great movement of the British Drama League which was making such great progress throughout the Empire. Waimate eventually should become, apart from the Centre, the strongest drama section in South Canterbury.

MINIATURE RIFLES DISTRICT SHOOTS Hunter—T. Cooper won Mr E. Hawkins' trophy at the weekly shoot of the Hunter Miniature Rifle Club. R. Barclay holds the McFarlane button and L. Sole the novice button. Scores off the rifle were:—A. Ayrey, R. Barclay, L. Sole 79; T. Clark, T. Cooper 78; A. McFarlane, E. Neal, L. Blunden, E. Manson 77; J. McNeill, A. Robinson, J. McFarlane, G. Gerrle, H. Milne 76; W. Clark, E. Sole, H. O'Connell 75. Arno —Scores at the weekly shoot were: E. C. Wright, G. Thomas 77; G. G. Hossack, H. W. McKenzie 76; J. Sheddon, C. Perry 75; J. Campbell 74; P. McGovern, F. Dugdale 72; N. McKenzie, G. McKenzie, H. Olorenshaw 71. Hook.—L. Rathgen 80; L. Medlicott, B. Ally, A. Kingsbury, R. Gabitas 79; H. Henderson, C. Rose, R. Campbell, W. Dempsey, A. Burness 78; R. Wilson, C. Alexander, F. Grayson, H. Meyer 77; S. Rathgen, E. Wilken, L. Bell 76; F. Medlicott, W. Richards 75; P. Newell 73; D. Wilson 70. The club button was won by L. Rathgen, the Mills button by R. Gabites, and Mr C. Medlicott’s No. 1 trophy by B. Ally. Maklkihi—The following were the highest scores off the rifle at the weekly shoot of the Maklkihi Miniature Rifle Club: R. Alexander, T. Davie 79; D. Lynch, W. Trezise, E. Harper, G. Park, P. Quinn 78; J. Shea, H. Trezise, H. Caird, A. Wells, J. Slattery 77; W. Goodeve, H. Shea 76; T. Garrett, W. Tiffin, T. Park 75; D. Caird, Jos. White 74; Jas. White, M. Sullivan 73; R. Callister 72. The Leach button was won by R. Alexander and the Mayo button by T. Davie. Willowbridge—C. Blair 80; G. Murray J. C. Faulkner, C. Bennett, G. Joyce, S. F. Cox, S. D. Richmond 79; H. Melton sen. 78; S. Palmer, A. Kelly 76; J. Bartlett, G. Hayes, B. Holland 75. Ten men average 78.9. C. Blair won the Duncan button, and J. Loper won the silver rifle. DEAL IN SHEEP CLAIM FOR DAMAGES A civil action against John Fransi Fox, farmer, of Studholme Junction, was instituted in the Magistrate’ Court, Oamaru, by Harry Simpson Miller, of Oamaru, for alleged loss and damages

in connection with a deal in sheep. The plaintiff claimed £lB3/17/5. Mr J. H. Main appeared for the plaintiff and Mr W. F. Boland (Waimate) for defendant. Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M., was on the Bench.

In his statement of claim, plaintiff set out that on January 26, through the agency of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., he agreed, in writing, to sell defendant, and the latter agreed to buy, part of the annual draft of Alta Vady Station, about 300 or 400 Romney cross ewes at 23/6 each, defendant to pay the commission; that the date of delivery was fixed for the first week in March and the place Alta Vady, and that defendant did not take delivery, wherefore plaintiff, pursuant to notice given to defendant, sold the ewes at the Waiareka sale for 15/- each, and claimed the amount stated for loss sustained through defendant neglecting or refusing to take delivery. Mr Boland said it was admitted that between 300 and 400 sheep were tendered by plaintiff to defendant at his farm. Mr Main stated that the points in dispute were the breeding of the sheep and the quality of their mouths. The hearing was adjourned to July 27. PERSONAL Mr W. A. Douglas, Cheviot, is visiting Waimate. Mr Corrigan and Miss May Corrigan left Waimate yesterday for Blenheim. Mr N. Bryant, of the Waimate staff of the Bank of New South Wales, has received notice of his transfer to Auckland. Before taking up his position. Mr Bryant will be relieving in the Inspector’s Office at Wellington. He leaves Waimate on July 27 and will be succeeded by Mr C. O. H. Day. of Oamaru. IVY LODGE Ivy Lodge, U.A.0.D., met in the Orange Hall, Bro. A. Deadmarsh presiding. A letter was received from Grand Lodge, relative to the distressed members’ contribution fund, the principal matter being “That the Board set up a very strong committee to go into the question with the actuary as to the advisability of Inviting those members who have run out by arrears during the last five years and who previously had fifteen years membership to rejoin. This fund to finance arrears by way of loans.’’ It was decided to support the proposal. Bro. Batchelor moved the adjournment to enable the brethren to engage in a game of cards with the Ladles' Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F. A very enjoyable evening was spent. Supper was served by the brethren. ,